Fin fish assemblage of the main channel of the lower Benue River, Nigeria

Fish species assemblage in the lower Benue River was assessed by collecting samples in 5 established sample stations within Benue state. Some physical and chemical parameters were also assessed. The mean values of the parameters recorded include; Temperature 24~?C, pH = 7.09, Alkalinity (Cac03) = (37 mg/l) Amonia (NH3) = (37.9 mg/I), C02= (9.5mg/I), Chloride (Nacl) = (12.8mg/I), Total hardness = (11mg/I), Dissolved oxygen (Do) = (11 mg/I), and Turbidity = (45cm). Forty eight (48) fish species belonging to 32 genera in 18 families were recorded. It was observed that the family Bagridae had the highest number of species (7, 15%) Mormyridae, Characidae and Mochokidae followed with 5 species (10.63%) each. Cyprinidae, Clariidae and Cichlidae had 8.51% with 4 species each. Citharinidae formed 6.38% with 3 species, while schilbeidae formed 4.25% (2 species). All other families had only one species recorded in it (2. 12%). Bagridae and clariidae dominated in station 1, while the family Mochokidae showed dominance in station 5. Family Ariidae, Gymnarchidae and Centropomidae were rare in the lower Benue River. There were no significant differences in the abundance of the fish species caught in the different stations. Among the stations also, the l1umber of fish caught during the seasons did not differ (p