Specific concepts of fluvial ecology are well studied in riverine ecosystems of the temperate zone but poorly investigated in the Afrotropical region. Hence, we examined the longitudinal zonation of fish and adult caddisfly (Trichoptera) assemblages in the endorheic Awash River (1,250 km in length), Ethiopia. We expected that species assemblages are structured along environmental gradients, reflecting the pattern of large-scale freshwater ecoregions. We applied multivariate statistical methods to test for differences in spatial species assemblage structure and identified characteristic taxa of the observed biocoenoses by indicator species analyses. Fish and caddisfly assemblages were clustered into highland and lowland communities, following the freshwater ecoregions, but separated by an ecotone with highest biodiversity. Moreover, the caddisfly results suggest separating the heterogeneous highlands into a forested and a deforested zone. Surprisingly, the Awash drainage is rather species-poor: only 11 fish (1 endemic, 2 introduced) and 28 caddisfly species (8 new records for Ethiopia) were recorded from the mainstem and its major tributaries. Nevertheless, specialized species characterize the highland forests, whereas the lowlands primarily host geographically widely distributed species. This study showed that a combined approach of fish and caddisflies is a suitable method for assessing regional characteristics of fluvial ecosystems in the tropics.

Isolation and identification of pathogenic fungi from African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) eggs and adults in Ethiopian National Fishery and Aquatic Life Research Center hatchery was conducted from October 2015 to May 2016. The aim of this study was to investigate the aquatic fungal flora associated with eggs and brood stock from African catfish in the center. A total of 16 egg samples, 77 swab samples from skin of adult fishes (brood stock) and water samples from 14 incubating containers were investigated. Samples were collected from water, outer body surface of fish as well as from artificially hatched eggs. Isolation and identification of the fungus was done on colonial and microscopic characteristics. In this study, 84.11% samples were positive for fungal growth and fungus isolates belonging to seven different genera were identified. Tricophyton, Saprolegnia, Rhizopus, Penicillium, Mucor, Microsporum and Alternaria were among the dominant isolated fungal genera. Among the isolated genera, Tricophyton was detected from 13.08% of the samples, while Alternaria had the least with 3.74%, unidentified fungi accounts for 14.02% and unidentified yeast were 20.56%. Based on the results, various pathogenic fungi species were identified from fish body, water and hatched eggs, hence are potential causes of mortality and decreased egg hatchability. In the light of this, appropriate egg and water disinfection methods are essential for hatchery management. Fishes in rearing facilities must be given proper health management monitoring to prevent outbreak of fungal disease.

The present study was conducted to share the experience of promoting fish production and marketing from the Tendaho Reservoir of the Afar region, Ethiopia. The study results indicate the reservoir is serving its purpose, namely to generate gainful employment for the pastoralist youth and to create sustainable livelihoods and sources of income for the pastoralist‐fishermen of the Afar region. Further, the reservoir fish production has improved the nutrition and food security status of children. It also created a new business entry for hotels and restaurants in the area. Fishermen in the study areas, however, face problems getting the required support for such efforts, in the form of training in fish post‐harvest practices. The present study also indicates dried catfish marketing should be targeted in the short run to address the substantial fish spoilage observed in the high‐production hot season. Dried catfish marketing is highly recommended for the Afar region since it is well adapted to the climate of the study area, noting the product is less perishable and can be sold throughout the country. Dried catfish marketing is also expected to address the problem of gender inclusiveness, an issue clearly missing in the fish production system in the study areas.

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Evaluation of integrated agriculture aquaculture (IAA) was conducted on station in the National Fisheries and Aquatic Life Research center (NFALRC), Sebeta. In this trial the effect of irrigation with pond water and spring water and application of inorganic fertilizer on yield and other parameters for Tomato (Lycopersiconesculentum) and potato (Solanum tuberosum) were evaluated using randomized complete block design with three replications. Results show that there is variation in total yield and marketable yield as well as clusters per plant of tomato with plots treated with fertilizer having higher values. Among examined parameters, only clusters per plant of tomato varied significantly (P<0.05) among treatments. However, marketable yield and yield per plant did not show significant variation (p>0.05) among treatments. Nevertheless, all parameters in this trial did not show significant difference among treatments (P>0.05). The results of this trial indicate that using pond water to irrigate horticulture plots can partially replace the use of inorganic fertilizers thereby reducing both cost and environmental effects.