The Race to Save Nigeria’s Endangered Fish
Nigeria’s waters are home to many different fish, but some of them are in danger of disappearing forever. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has a special list, called the Red List, which helps us understand which animals and plants are at risk of extinction. The Red List is like a health report for nature. It shows that many fish species in Nigeria are in trouble.
Why are these fish in danger? A big reason is that their homes are being destroyed. Pollution from oil and other human activities harms the rivers and oceans where fish live. Overfishing is also a major problem. People sometimes catch too many fish, or they catch them in a way that harms the fish’s breeding grounds. The introduction of new, non-native species can also hurt the local fish population.
Several Nigerian fish species are on the Red List. The Smooth Freshwater Stingray (Fontitrygon garouaensis) and the Thorny Freshwater Stingray (Fontitrygon ukpam) are both listed as Critically Endangered. This means they are at an extremely high risk of extinction. Other fish, like the African Knifefish (Xenomystus nigri) and the Niger Tetra (Arnoldichthys spilopterus), are listed as Endangered or Vulnerable. The African Sickle Fish (Drepane africana) is also endangered. The Boe Drum (Pteroscion peli) is a vulnerable species.
The IUCN Red List is a powerful tool. It helps us see which species need the most help. Governments and groups use this information to create plans to protect these fish. These plans can include things like restoring damaged habitats, creating protected areas, and making sure fishing is done in a sustainable way. By paying attention to the Red List, we can work together to save Nigeria’s special aquatic life.
IUCN Red List Fish Specie Catalogue in Nigeria
| S/N | Local Name | Common Name | Scientific Name | Reference/Source |
| 8 | Akokoniko | The Wahrindi | Synodontis schall |
Olaosebikan, B.D. and A. Raji, 1998. Field guide to Nigerian freshwater fishes. Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, New Bussa, Nigeria. 106 p. |
| 9 | Orombo | Short-tailed Short-faced fish | Pythonichthys microphthalmus |
Osodein, Oluwayemisi & ANETEKHAI, MARTINS.(2020). Fisheries of Ilaje Community, Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria. Brazilian Journal of Biological Sciences. 7. 261-282. |
| 10 | Adagba | The Fangtooth Pellonuline | Odaxothrissa mento |
Gourène, G. and G.G. Teugels, 1994. Synopsis de la classification et phylogénie des Pellonulinae de l’Afrique Occidentale et Centrale (Teleostei; Clupeidae). J. Afr. Zool. 108(1):77-91. |
| 11 | Akaraba | African Sickle Fish | Drepane Africana |
Osodein, Oluwayemisi & ANETEKHAI, MARTINS. (2020). Fisheries of Ilaje Community, Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria. Brazilian Journal of Biological Sciences. 7. 261-282. |
| 12 | Awo | Boe Drum | Pteroscion peli |
Osodein, Oluwayemisi & ANETEKHAI, MARTINS. (2020). Fisheries of Ilaje Community, Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria. Brazilian Journal of Biological Sciences. 7. 261-282. |
| 13 | Akan | Gladiator Swimcrab | Callinectes pallidus |
Osodein, Oluwayemisi & ANETEKHAI, MARTINS. (2020). Fisheries of Ilaje Community, Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria. Brazilian Journal of Biological Sciences. 7. 261-282. |
| 14 | Ede | Estuarine White Shrimp | Nematopalaemon hastatus |
Osodein, Oluwayemisi & ANETEKHAI, MARTINS. (2020). Fisheries of Ilaje Community, Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria. Brazilian Journal of Biological Sciences. 7. 261-282. |
| 15 | Abubutan | Humpback Whale | Megaptera novaeangliae | https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/humpback-whale. Accessed 09/10/2023 |
| 16 | Ikan/Doje | Large head Hairtail | Trichiurus lepturus |
Osodein, Oluwayemisi & ANETEKHAI, MARTINS. (2020). Fisheries of Ilaje Community, Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria. |
| 17 | Pokun | The African Snapper | Lutjanus agennes |
Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2021). “ Lutjanus” in FishBase. February 2021 version. |
The pictures and tables shared here, from the “Fishers Prep Community Workshop,” show some of the threatened and endangered fish species found in Nigeria. The catalogue provides a list of fish and other aquatic animals with their scientific names, while the image displays pictures and conservation status of some of these species.