Bacteriological Quality of Pond Water Used in Aquaculture in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

The bacteriological quality of fish pond water is an essential consideration in fish cultivation. Poor quality water can lead to outbreaks of bacterial infections in fish. Fish pond water can be contaminated due to improper location, inadequate sewage treatment, effluents, and agrochemicals from nearby industries and farms, as well as exposure to poor sanitation systems from various households leaching into water sources used in fish farms. Water from a total of ten fish pond was evaluated for the presence of bacterial pathogens. Microbial isolation, identification, and antibiogram screening were performed using standard methods. The result indicates that microbial bacteria were found in all fish ponds water that was assessed. Fecal coliform counts (cfu/ml) show that pond water was contaminated with pathogens due to pollution from fecal sources. The bacterial isolates were identified and the frequency was recorded as Vibrio spp. (26.2%), Klebsiella spp. (21.4%), Salmonella spp. (9.5%); Staphylococcus spp. (16.7%); Escherichia coli (9.5%) and Shigella spp. (16.7%). The isolates were examined for susceptibility against twelve antibiotics namely; Ciproflox, Norfloxacin, Gentamycin, Amoxil, Streptomycin, Rifampicin, Erythromycin, Chloramphenicol, Amicloxz, Levofloxacin, Augumentin and Cotrimoxazole. The result showed the bacterial isolates had varying levels of susceptibility, and were resistant to the antimicrobials. Therefore, it is imperative to assess pond water used in aquaculture systems periodically to ensure the production of quality and safe fish for human consumption.