ABSTRACT

The proximate and mineral compositions of different fish species (Lates niloticus, Gymnarchus niloticus, Hydrocynus forskali, Oreochromis niloticus, Heterotis niloticus, Tilapia zilli, Distichodus brevipinnis, Mormyrus rume, Clarias gariepinus, and Bagrus domac, designated T1 – T10 respectively) caught from Yamama Lake, Kalgo Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Nigeria were evaluated. Thirty pieces of the ten freshly caught fish species were collected from the landing site of Yamama Lake in a plastic container containing ice blocks, and taken to the Agriculture/Chemical Laboratory, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto for analysis. The results indicated that T10 (Bagrus domac) had the highest moisture content (73.52±0.02 %), though it was not significantly different (P>0.05) from T1 (Lates niloticus), while the least value (65.53±0.02 %) was recorded from T6 (Tilapia zilli). T8 (Mormyrus rume) had highest protein content (23.05±0.02 %), while T10 had the least (16.47±0.01 %). For mineral composition, T7 (Distichodus brevipinnis) had the highest sodium content (87.53±0.01 mg/kg), while T9 (Clarias gariepinus) recorded the least value (1503.33±2.03 mg/kg) in potassium content. Oreochromis niloticus (T4) had the highest magnesium content (37.24±0.02 mg/kg), while the least value  (3.85±0.01 mg/kg) was recorded  in phosphorus content for T4 and T5 (Oreochromis niloticus, Heterotis niloticus respectively). The nutrient profiles of these fish species will provide information to dieticians, nutritionist, livestock farmers, marketing industries and other fisheries stakeholders.