Posted by Chester Morton / Sunday 7 May 2023 / No comments
The characteristics of fish habitats like freshwater, brackish water and marine water bodies
UNDERSTANDING THE CHARACTERISTICS OF FISH HABITATS IN SUPPORTING FISH
POPULATIONS
Introduction
Only
30% of the earth’s surface is land, the rest is covered by water. The water is
classified into freshwater, brackish water and marine water. These are the
waters in which fish may live and this generally referred to as fish habitat. A
fish habitat is one the most complex and dynamic ecosystems in the world. This
is where fish grows and thrives. In this article, we will discuss the
importance of fish habitats. In addition, we will look at their characteristics,
and which types of fish grow in which habitat. If one understands the various
characteristics of freshwater, brackish water, and marine habitats it would
help one to appreciate the different aquatic life that inhabits the planet
earth.
TYPES OF FISH HABITAT
Freshwater
One
of the most important water bodies of the world is freshwater. The various types
of water bodies that come under this category includes rivers, lakes, ponds,
and streams. One of the major characteristics of freshwater is that it is
relatively less salty, generally between 0 and 1.5 parts per thousand.
Freshwater habitats are home to a wide range of animals, including fish,
amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. Many species of plants also thrive in
freshwater habitats. Our interest is in the fish kinds that occupy freshwater. Some
types of fish that live in fresh water include, Catfish. Trout. Carp, Perch,
Bass, Sturgeon. Sunfish, Barbel, Pike, Walleye, and tilapia,
Rivers
One
of the most common types of a freshwater is a river. Rivers flow in one
direction. There is lot of current associated with rivers. A typical river may
either be narrow of wide. Examples of rivers in Nigeria include the Niger
River, Benue River, Sokoto River and the Kaduna River, to mention a few. In
Ghana, we have the River Pra, the Tano River, the Densu River as examples. In
Togo, we have the Oti River, the Mono River, and the Mo River as examples. ,A
river forms a delta at the end of its journey, over there, the sediment is
deposited it is the sediment that makes the surrounding land very fertile.
Rivers also a very essential source of fish protein for the people. They are
essential to the environment and the communities that live near them. There are
many types of fish that live in rivers, including carp, catfish, bass, trout,
sturgeon, perch, pike, and dace.
Lakes
Another
example of freshwater is called a lake. One popular lake in Africa is called
the Volta Lake, which is the largest man-made lake in Africa. Another major
lake in Africa is the Oguta lake in Nigeria. A lake is one of the major sources
of fish protein for the world. A typical lake is will contain freshwater. It
does not have a current. It can either be large or small. The land around a
lake is often fertile. It is probable that a stream(s) or river(s) is flowing
into or flowing out the lake. A lake would have a lake bed and shoreline. Lakes
are important habitats for fish. The types of fish species that live in lakes,
include carp, catfish, bass, pike, perch, sunfish, trout, tilapia and sturgeon.
Streams
Streams
are the other examples of water body classified fresh water. This type of water
body is found a river or creek. A stream can be formed by the melting of snow,
rainfall, and runoff water from a mountain or a hill. Some examples of streams
in Ghana are Otobiri, Apetensu, Mfrebi. Streams are a major source protein too,
to the populace. It also offers a source of employment to those who fish from
it to sell to others. Different types of fish can be found in streams. These
include trout, salmon, dace, chub, shiner, darter, sucker, and sculpin.
Ponds
A
pond anther type of freshwater. It is characterized by still water. It is not
unusually to find out that a pond is surrounded by vegetation. It is typically smaller
than a lake. It has been established that there are no wave actions in ponds.
This explains why it is normally clear. The water in a pond is usually shallow.
One can find ponds in low-lying areas. A pond may be naturally created or may
be man-made. It is usually smaller than a lake. Common types of fish that live
in ponds include sunfish, bass, catfish, bluegill, and crappie.
BRACKISH
WATER
The
next type of fish habitat is brackish water. A brackish fish habitat is a mix
of freshwater and salt water. While a freshwater is just a little salty, the
salinity level of brackish water is a little saltier. It is usually between 1.5
and 30 parts per thousand. Estuaries and lagoons are classified as brackish
water. The king of fish organisms that can be found in brackish water like an
estuary include: gobies, killifish, mullet, pufferfish, eels, mudskippers,
bass, sharks, and sturgeon.
Estuaries
An
estuary is a semi-enclosed coastal body of water. Typically, it is filled with
a mixture of salt water and fresh water. The salt comes from the Sea water and
it is partially filled with freshwater from rivers and streams. The estuary
provides an ideal home for a variety of fish, like striped bass, flounder,
sturgeon, croaker, mullet, drum, spot, sea trout, snook, shad, and tarpon. fish.
Lagoons
A
lagoon is a type of brackish water body. It is located along the coastal areas.
It is normally separated from the Sea by the means of sand bars, barrier
islands or reefs. These barriers provide protection against the actions of the waves.
One can mention the Keta Lagoon, in the Volta Region of Ghana, There is so much
aquatic life in lagoons, for example fish, algae, and other marine organisms. Lagoons
provide a source of employment to communities around it. Fish protein is also
sourced from lagoons. Some common types of fish in lagoons are mullet, tarpon,
snapper, barracuda, snook, grouper, etc.
Marine
habitats are those with the highest level of salinity among all the three fish
habitats. The salt is normally around 35 parts per thousand. There are two categories
marine habitat. One is called pelagic and the other is called demersal. The pelagic
habitats are those opened to the ocean, such as the open sea or the surface of
the ocean. The demersal habitats, on the other hand, are those close to the
ocean floor. Some examples of marine habitat are coral reefs and mangroves. The
example of fish that live in marine habitat are tuna, salmon, cod, mackerel,
anchovies, herring, halibut, sardines, swordfish, sea bass, and sharks.
Ocean
floor
The
ocean floor is an example of marine habitat. One of the features is that it is
rugged. Another is that, there are terrains with mountains, valleys, canyons
and deep trenches. The environment in the ocean floor is very cold. The
population of fish in this habitat is not much. Parts of the fish habitat can
be dark because of the inability of the Sun to penetrate. Some types of fish
that live on the ocean floor include anglerfish, flounder, gobies, dragonets,
eels, seahorses, and stargazers.
Coral
Reefs
Another
instance of a marine habitat is coral reef. Coral reefs are positioned in both
tropical or subtropical waters. Different sorts of fish species inhabit coral
reefs. They furnish a structure of safety for coastal communities from storms
and erosion. The kinds of fish that inhabit coral reefs consist of angelfish,
triggerfish, parrotfish, wrasse, clownfish, butterflyfish, goatfish,
damselfish, and grouper.
Mangroves
The
last of the marine habitat to be discussed is mangrove. They are located in
shallow waters. Mangroves are covered with evergreen trees and shrubs. They
provide a conducive environment for different species. Mangroves protect shorelines
and also prevent erosion. Mangroves reduce the effects of storm surge at the
coasts. The types of fish that inhabit mangroves include snappers, groupers,
barramundi, mullet, whiting, jacks, and some species of shark in addition to
crabs, shrimps, clams, oysters, and mussels.
Conclusion
In
conclusion, understanding the characteristics of fish habitats is essential for
the conservation of species and the aquatic environment as a whole. Knowing
which habitats are most suitable for a species, as well as any potential
threats, is essential for determining the best management strategies for a
species. With the right knowledge and strategies, we can ensure that our
aquatic habitats remain healthy and provide vital resources for the future.
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