Godwin N. Isitor
Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria
Title: Veterinary perspectives on conservation of indigenous freshwater ornamental and food fish biodiversity through aquaria systems
Biography
Biography: Godwin N. Isitor
Abstract
An on-going research project on conservation of ornamental and food fish biodiversity through aquaria systems is presented. Both indigenous and exotic ornamental fish, as well as a few food fish, are aimed at being conserved under the proposed project. The overall rationale is that of utilizing a novel procedure, involving aquaria systems, to collect, propagate and monitor the different species being conserved, and at same time build selected stocks that can be readily disseminated to commercial outfits which in turn are expected to supply products to the end user consumers. The aquaria mix ranged from simple rectangular glass constructs to more complex circular plastic types of a maximum of 150L water holding capacity; some of which are fitted with vital accessories, such as aerators, aquaria lights, artificial and natural plants, as well as water flow-through input and output taps. The conserved fish-types are mostly endangered freshwater species of ray and fin-fish, e.g. gobies, cichliids, polypteriids, clariids, locariids, notopteriids, and anabantiids, as well as reptiles and crustaceans (terappins and decapods). In the conservation process, veterinary challenges, in particular, helminth infestations and fungal infections appear to be an important issue in the overall success of the exercise. The modalities for administration of ivermectin in the aquaculture and its subsequent use for effective control of helminthiasis are being investigated towards achieving the desired goal of effective conservation, adaptation and propagation of the species through aquaria system