SURVEY OF FISH HEALTH MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN EDO SOUTH

ABSTRACT

 Management of fish disease is a major challenge in fish culture. This study looked at the various disease problems encountered in Edo South Region of Edo State, This study was conducted with the aid of a well structured questionnaires administered in four local government areas namely; Ovia north east Local Government Area, Egor Local Government Area, Oredo local government and Ikpoba okha local government area. A total of 120 questionnaires were administered to the entire local government areas. A total of 120 respondents randomly selected were interviewed during the survey.Majority of the fish farmers (94.16%) during the course of this study had experienced a form of disease problem or the other during the time of their fish culturing.A total of  90.83% of the fish farmers were able to identify the type of disease condition affecting their fishes, Bleached skin color (27.5%) was found to be the major disease experienced amongst others like gill rot, open wounds, bloated belly and gaping mouth. Environmental stress caused by extreme conditions was the major factor that played a big role in the spread of the disease in the fish farm.Data obtained were analyzed by descriptive statistics.