ABSTRACT
Understanding the morphological characteristics of fish species is fundamental for comprehending their ecological roles, adaptations, and relationships within aquatic ecosystems. This study delves into the morphological variations of several fish species inhabiting the Ikpoba River, Benin city in Nigeria. The study aims to provide insights into the unique adaptations of these fishes to their aquatic environment and shed light into their ecological state. The morphological parameters studied include Total length (TL), Standard length (SL), Head length (HL), Body depth (BD) and Body weight (BW). A total of 130 specimens comprising two orders, seven genera, five families and eleven species were purchased and examined throughout the duration of the study. The species recorded include; Auchenoglanis monkei, Chromidotilapia guentheri, Chrysichthys walkeri, Clarias gariepinus, Ctenopoma kingsleyae. Hemichromis fasciatus, Malapterurus electricus, Schilbe intermedius, Tilapia dageti, Tilapia mariae, Tilapia zilli and the families represented include Anabantidae, clariidae, Cichlidae, Malapteruridae and Schilbeidae. The mean total length values for the fishes measured ranged from 9.8cm in Tilapia dageti and Tilapia mariae to 17.8cm in Clarias gariepinus. The highest mean standard length of 15.4cm was recorded in Clarias gariepinus and the lowest was recorded in Tilapia dageti which measured 7.7cm. Clarias gariepinus had the highest mean body weight of 65.8g while Tilapia mariae was the lowest with a weight of 15g. Mean body depth values ranged from 2.1cm in Chrysichthys walkeri to 4.5cm in Ctenopoma kingsleyae. Hemichromis fasciatus and Tilapia zilli had mean head length values of 3.6cm and 2.1cm respectively placing them as highest and lowest.
