Unconventional cultivable freshwater fish species: a potential tool for increased aquaculture production in Nigeria

Abstract

Kigbu AA, Imgbian TD, Yakubu MM

The persistent gap between fish supply and demand in a country endowed with vast natural water resources potential like Nigeria is really a source of concern. Current domestic fish production rate in combination with importation strategy have failed to achieve results, as a gap of about 1.05 million metric tons stand as deficit. Conventional fish species as; Clarias, Tilapia, Heterobranchus and the likes are producing significant results, however, there is that need of effective and efficient utilization of existing vast natural water resources to increase aquaculture production in Nigeria. Areas discussed include: factors to be considered in selection of fish for culture, conventional culture species in Nigeria, unconventional culture species, culture methods and suitable receptacle, fecundity and biology, ecology and promotional potentials of unconventional fish species. The later reveals the possibility of promoting all considered species as candidate for use in the utilization of existing vast water resources to increase local production thereby, bridging existing gap.