Bacteriological Study of Catfish, Claria gariepinus, from Fish Pond Sources in Akungba-Akoko Community, Nigeria

Aim: To determine the microbiological quality of catfish meant for public consumption in the university community, Akungba-Akoko.
Study design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Adekunle Ajasin University, P.M.B. 01, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria, between May 2010 and June 2011.
Methodology: Fresh catfish, Claria gariepinus, sample obtained from typical fish pond in Akungba-Akoko was subjected to microbiological Investigation in the Laboratory. Nutrient Agar, Eosine Methylene Blue Agar and Man Rogosa Sharpe Agar were generally used for isolation and maintenance of cultures during the study. Moreover a pour plate technique was used for the estimation of the total bacterial and coliform counts.
Results: The total plate count of fish skin samples gave high bacterial count of 65 x 102 cfu/ml, the coliforms count was 7.0 x 101 cfu/ml, while the anaerobic organisms encountered gave a value of 20 x 101 cfu/ml. Similarly, bacterial count of 2.25 x 107 cfu/ml coliform count of 1.35 x 104 cfu/ml and 6.5 x 104 cfu/ml anaerobic organisms were obtained from gills. The isolated bacteria species identified were Bacillus spp, Staphylococcus spp, Streptococcus spp, Microcococcus spp, and members of enterobacteriaceae which include Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp were found in the skin of the fresh fish. Other complex forms of bacterial species were also encountered in the gills of catfish sample used for this study. This includes S. aureus, E. coli, Bacillus spp. The total aerobic counts of the Clarias gariepinus (Catfish) sample were determined and the results of this study shows that the largest numbers of anaerobic microbes were found in gills.
Conclusion: The study suggests adequate monitoring of our fish ponds with a view of adding some antibiotics to their feeds to reduce infectious agents from this source.