Aim: An animal species either serves as a definitive, a paratenic or an intermediate host to helminth parasites which may be species or site specific. This study was undertaken to investigate the intestinal helminth parasites of gobies (Bostrychus africanus and Periophthalmus papilio) collected from two creeklets of the New Calabar River. Study Design: Fifteen samples of each species were collected (from two stations fortnightly) measured and weighed. All fish was dissected and intestinal parasites were collected, identified and counted. Physico-chemical parameters (temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO) and salinity) of the study areas were also measured in dry and rainy seasons. A total of 240 fish samples were examined of B. africanus (Standard length (SL) of 3 -12 cm, weight of 30 -36.1g), and P. papilio (SL of 5.9 -15 cm, weight of 4 -28.2g). Study Period: Study was between October 2016 and May 2017. Results: A total of three hundred and eigthy nine (389) nematodes (Ascaridida) were isolated from 25.4% of the sampled fish. Bostrychus africanus had higher percentage prevalence and mean intensity (91.6 % and 23 in station 1, 21.8 % and 20.5 in station 2). P. papilio had a lower Original Research Article

Aim: Evaluation of the effectiveness of formulated Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and Moringa oleifera booster on the growth performance of Heterobranchus bidorsalis. Study Design: Data were subjected to statistical analysis using Duncan Multiple Range Statistics and interpretation was done using SPSS Version 22. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in the laboratory at the Department of Applied and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University, Nigeria for a period of 12 weeks (3 months), between November, 2016 – March, 2017. Methodology: Total of 240 Heterobranchus bidorsalis fingerlings with an initial mean weight (1.61±0.23 g) and length (5.13±0.26 cm) were acclimated for one week. After acclimation, the fishes were fed twice daily (9am and 6pm) with 10% of their body weight after coating 2 ml/1 kg of the commercial feed with their individual growth booster syrup and allowed to air-dry for about 20 minutes. Heterobranchus bidorsalis fingerlings were scooped for the measurements exercise at one week interval after which they were returned to their various tanks. Results: The result of this study recorded the experimental diets with optimum growth and survivability. From the result, it was deduced that, Commercial feed coated with watermelon syrup booster recorded the best performance in the growth variables of mean weight (26.36 ±3.19 g), mean length (13.61±1.35 cm), mean weight gain (24.64±3.00 g), mean length gain (8.38±1.35 cm), relative weight gain (25.36±3.19) while Commercial feed coated with commercial syrup booster (CbCf) recorded the best performance in growth variables of Daily Growth Rate (15.15±0.55) and Specific Growth Rate (2.69±0.03%) against Moring growth booster and commercial feed (control). However, there was less mortality as the fishes in different treatment tanks survived above 90%. Conclusion: It could be summarized that Commercial feed coated with watermelon syrup booster (WbCf) had the best growth performance against the control groups although their values were not significantly impacted (p>0.05) when compared with other experimental diets.

Aim: The present study aims to determine the condition factor incomplete of Tilapia guineensis and Sarotherodon melanotheron in Sombreiro River across Buguma, Abonnema and Degema communities in Rivers State. Study Design: This study employs fieldwork, laboratory experimental design, statistical analysis and interpretation of data. Place and Duration of Study: Live fish samples were caught by fishermen in Buguma, Abonnema and Degema communities in Kalabari kingdom of Rivers State, and were conveyed in a rectangular plastic aquarium containing ice blocks and oxygen bags to the department of Applied and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University. The duration of the study lasted for twelve weeks (65 days). Methodology: One hundred and eighty fish samples give their average weights and lengths were identified. The fish samples were weighed using an electronic weighing balance, the total length and length of intestine were measured with a meter rule (cm), color of fish, spines and rays of fish were also observed. Their stomach contents were analyzed viewing under a microscope. The frequency of occurrence method and the numerical method were used for analyzing the food items. Results: The stomach content analysis indicated that the major food was phytoplankton. The length and weight relationship in the three sampled stations for T. guineensis and Sarotherodon melanotheron showed negative allometric growth, (<3).  The condition factor for all the fish samples was greater than one. The physicochemical parameters showed that there were significant differences in the various physicochemical parameters across the study stations except for turbidity (P=0.744) and salinity (P=0.922), that showed no significant difference across the study stations. Conclusion: The length-weight relationship in fishes can be affected by a number of factors including season, habitat, gonad maturity, sex, diet, stomach fullness, health and differences in length ranges of the specimen caught. The exact relationship between length and weight differs among species of fish according to their inherited body shape, and within a species according to the condition (robustness) of individual fish. The stomach content analysis of the sampled fishes provided a baseline study of food and feeding habits of Tilapia species in the sampled stations.

Aims:The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the potentials of newly formulated watermelon syrup booster compared to a commercial syrup booster on growth performance, nutrient utilization and survival of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. Study Design: This study employs laboratory experimental design, statistical analysis and interpretation of data. Place and Duration of Study: Newly formulated watermelon syrup booster was obtained from a private fish firm (ISitor Agromed), commercial syrup booster (LEE GROW) and fish feed (SKRETTING) were purchased in a commercial feed store at Rumuokoro in Port Harcourt. Clarias gariepinus fingerlings used in this study were obtained from a private fish farm (Sokari Integrated Farms and Services) in Port Harcourt and conveyed in a 10-liter rectangular plastic aquarium to the departmental laboratory of Animal and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University. The duration of study lasted for eight weeks (56 days) from November 1 st to December 26 th , 2017.