Bacteriological Quality of freshwater fishes caught from Sokoto River, Sokoto, Nigeria

The study was conducted to evaluate the bacteria quality of freshwater fishes caught from Sokoto River. A total of 90 fish samples comprising 18 samples each of 5 genera, were randomly procured over a period of 3 months. The sampled fish were transported immediately to the laboratory for processing. The samples were taken from skin and gastrointestinal tracts and were subjected to bacteriological analysis. A total of 10 different bacteria isolates were recovered from fish samples. The isolates were E. coli (28.38%), Enterobacter aerogenes (17.57%), Klebsiella pneumonia (0.45%), Proteus vulgaris (3.15%), Salmonella typhimurium (1.35%) other isolates areAeromonas hydrophila (7.21%), Staphylococcus aureus (22.07%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (10.36%), Streptococcus agalactiae (8.10%) and Lactobacillus plantarum (1.35). The gastrointestinal samples yielded the highest isolation rate of 129 (58.1%) of the total isolates. The family eneterobacteriaceae was the predominant bacteria isolate (50.9%) while Stahpylococcus spp was the common Gram positive isolates accounting for 32.43%. all the isolates were isolated from both skin and gastrointestinal tract except Klebsiella pneumonia, Lactobacillus plantarum and Salmonella typhimurium which were restricted to the skin. The study revealed the presence of eneterobacteriaceae and some Gram positive bacteria which are of serious public importance. There is the need to educate the public on the danger associated with consumption of raw or improperly cooked fish.