A Survey of Dried Fish Species sold in Ado Ekiti Markets, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State

Abstract

This study surveyed the types of dried fish species sold in five major markets in Ado-Ekiti. During the course of the survey, twenty-two species of fish were discovered which included: Gymnachus niloticus, Clarias gariepinus, Coptodon zilli, Clarias anguillaris, Dasyatis americana, Cynoglossus browni, Phyraena piscatorum, Pseudotolithus elongates, Polypterus senegalus, Ethmalosa fimbriata among others. These fishes belonged to different families and were found in different markets in Ado-Ekiti. These fish species were identified to the lowest taxonomic level using fish identification guide books. They were further classified using the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Classification Scheme where it was found that only 4.5% was in the ‘near threatened (NE)’ status/class while there was none on the endangered list status