A survey of fungal infestation in some commercially important fishes from Lapai – Agaie reservoir, Niger State. Nigeria

Abstract

Fish spoilage caused by fungi is one of the constraints to the quality of fish supply in Niger State. A survey of fungi infestation of two commercially important fishes (Tilapia zilli and Clarotes macrocephalus) was carried out in Lapai – Agaie Reservoir, in Lapai Local government Area, Niger State, Nigeria, from April to July, 2012. Samples of fresh live fish were randomly selected from the fishermen monthly during the study period. The samples were transported in a sterile polythene bag to the laboratory where the scale and the gills were aseptically collected, and cultured on Potatoes Dextrose Agar (PDA). The fungi isolated were Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus wentii, Aspergillus nidulans, Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium roqueforti, Aspergillus janthinellum and Saccharomyces cerevisae. Some of these fungi isolated were known to cause various fungal diseases in fish and invariably spoilage. This study therefore recommends proper smoking of the fish before consumption.