Abstract
We report the first occurrence of Sargassum Weed Fish Histrio histrio at Bonga Field in Nigeria Outer Continental Shelf approximately 120 km south-east of Delta State in February 2014. At high tides and under difficulty, we sampled some seaweeds in the epi-pelagic realm using a secured standard plankton net to the environmental research vessel that was cruising at a dead speed (≤4 knots). Upon examination of the weeds we collected, one adult Sargassum Weed Fish along with two gelatinous fingerlings were realised. This finding suggests the probable occurrence of more population of Sargassum Weed Fish in their macro-habitat (the Sargassum seaweeds) which are abundantly bound in the Gulf of Guinea deep waters. The specimen was photographed on-board and preserved immediately in 10 % formalin solution for a 24-h period and was thereafter reprocessed, and permanently preserved with 70 % ethanol. We recommend a major study of the marine seaweeds and their colonisers amongst Gulf of Guinea member states.
Highlights
The identification and conservation of essential fish habitat was advocated as prerequisite to building healthy and sustainable fisheries (Rosenberg et al 2000)
The pelagic zone is typically characterised by its lack of physical structure and previous studies suggest that many pelagic organisms associate with structures such as the algal mats or seaweeds, during early life stages (Dooley 1972; Rountree 1990; Kingsford 1992; Wells & Rooker 2004)
This paper seeks to document the first occurrence of the Sargassum Weed Fish Histrio histrio in Nigeria deep water
Summary
The identification and conservation of essential fish habitat was advocated as prerequisite to building healthy and sustainable fisheries (Rosenberg et al 2000). Information on habitat use of pelagic species are limited and one of such studies was carried out in the western Atlantic (Wells & Rooker 2004). This paper seeks to document the first occurrence of the Sargassum Weed Fish Histrio histrio in Nigeria deep water.
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