ABSTRACT
Aquatic environments, including ponds, serve as habitats for various microorganisms, some of which can be pathogenic to humans and aquatic organisms. This study is aimed at evaluating the prevalence of Aeromonas and Vibrio species in pond water samples from a commercial fish farm in Benin city, Nigeria. A total of twenty (20) pond water samples were collected and analyzed using culture-based methods. The samples were plated on Glutamate Starch Phenol (GSP) agar and Thiosulphate Citrate Bile Salt (TCBS) agar respectively. The total heterotrophic bacterial count was determined using the pour plate methods. The results show the bacterial count of Aeromonas and Vibrio in pond water. The Bacterial count for Aeromonas ranges from 15.4 ± 0.9 to 81.3 ± 1.3 (CFU/mL) and the Bacterial count for Vibrio range from 1.8 ± 0.9 to 93.5 ± 0.5 (CFU/mL) respectively. Bacterial counts from highest to lowest based on the frequency of water change and pond types were examined. In the bacterial count for Aeromonas and Vibrio based on frequency of water change and pond types, the highest count was observed in pond water changed ≥monthly, daily [(81.3 ± 1.3),(28.2 ± 0.4)] and in trampoline ponds [(42.8 ± 0.5 ),(37.6 ± 0.3)] while the lowest count was observed in pond water changed bi-weekly, weekly [(18.8 ± 0.7), ( 4.3 ± 0.4)] and concrete, plastic ponds [(7.7 ± 0.4),(1.1 ± 0.1)] respectively. The prevalence of Aeromonas and Vibrio in pond water from the highest to the lowest was assessed based on frequency of water change and pond types. In the prevalence of Aeromonas and Vibrio based on frequency of water change and pond types, the highest prevalence was observed ≥ monthly, bi-weekly ([2/2 (100%)], [3/8 (37.5%)]) and in trampoline ponds , ([4/5 (80.0%)], [3/5 (60.0%)]). while the lowest were both observed daily ([4/9 (44.4%)], [3/9 (33.3%)]) and in plastic, earthen ([1/4 (25.0%)], [2/9 (22.2%)]) respectively. This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence and distribution of Aeromonas and Vibrio species in pond water
