Catalogue of Some Saltwater and Freshwater Fish Species of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Abstract

The study was done to review some saltwater and freshwater fish species in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The Niger Delta is one of the most prominent regions in Nigeria, endowed with several water bodies that are distributed as freshwater like rivers, lakes, streams and creeks. These freshwater ecosystems in the region, are abundantly endowed with fish species such as Clarias gariepinus, Pila ovate, Labeo coubie, Synodontis budgetti and Synodontis eupterus. Apart from the freshwaters, the region also has vast marine ecosystem with abundance of fish species such as Elops lacerta, Mugil cephalus, Thais coronata, Periophthalmus papilio, Tympanotonus fuscatus, and Sardinella maderensis. Unfortunately, many of these fish species are endangered due to constant pollution in the Niger delta regional coastal environment. As a result, it is important to document some available freshwater and marine water fish species which will serve as a reference material for both academics and research institutions, should any of the fish species go into extinction.