Commensal Bacterial Flora of Synodontis nigrita and Clarias gariepinus from River Osun, Southwest Nigeria, Nigeria

The microflora of the skin, gill and gut tissues of two freshwater fish species namely Synodontis nigrita and Clarias gariepinus from river Osun at Epe in southwestern Nigeria were investigated. Ten adult samples of each fish species were analyzed for the isolation of microflora using the biochemical test. Bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Baccillus species, Streptococcus sp., Baccillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the skin, gill and gut of both fish species. The occurrence and isolation of potential pathogens from the skin, gill and gut of the fish samples obtained from river Osun is an indication that fishes could serve as vectors for the propagation of diseases among consumers of fishes from river Osun. The result of this study showed that fish can serve as bio-indicators of the microbial quality of water body from where they are caught. It also showed that River Osun stands the risk of a potential organic pollution especially with the presence of Baccillus species on the skin, gill and gut of S. nigrita.