Author(s): Selim Adewale Alarape, Temilolu Oladipo Hussein, Eyihuri Veronica Adetunji, Olanike Kudirat Adeyemo

Abstract: Morphological abnormalities decrease the quality of cultured fish by affecting their aesthetic appeal, growth and survival. This study was designed to assess the different morphological abnormalities in African catfish raised from hatcheries on farms in Ibadan, Nigeria. Pre-tested structured questionnaires were administered to 58 consenting farmers/farms while samples of abnormal fish were collected and subjected to photography and radiography. Majority (91.4%) of the farmers had ever experienced morphological anomalies with the common ones identified being head, spinal and tail, representing 69.0%, 20.7% and 1.7%, respectively. Of the 58 farms visited, 40 (68.96%) had fish with deformities ranging from skeletal, tumours, fin and skin erosion. Consequently, 62.0% of the farmers claimed to have had difficulties selling deformed fishes, thus posing economic loss. Further research is required to identify the factors causing such deformities to enable aquaculture develop in a sustainable and profitable manner, especially among small and medium-scale fish farmers.

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