Abstract

The chemical composition of wild and domesticated “Wesafu”, an ecotype cichlid found abundantly in Epe Lagoon fisheries in Lagos, south-western coast of Nigeria and a private fish farm in Badagry, Lagos, was investigated for proximate, mineral, fatty acid and amino acid compositions. The proximate compositions of the two specimens were found to be similar except for crude protein contents of 16.80 and 19.51% for the wild and farmed specimens, respectively. Seventeen different amino acids, twelve fatty acids and ten minerals were obtained in the tissues of the fish. The amino acids compositions of both the wild and farmed specimen were essentially similar and no wide variation in the amino acids compositions. Palmitic and oleic acids were the main saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids respectively. The principal oil in the polyunsaturated group was linoleic acid. Ten minerals were determined, including iron; 30.73 and 18.39, cobalt; 0.47 and 0.32, manganese; 13.64 and 2.75, zinc; 35.35 and 33.17 in mg/kg, respectively for the wild and farm raised specimens. This ecotype cichlid of Epe Lagoon, Nigeria “Wesafu” is thus a nutrient dense food fish being rich in quality protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids and having an array of essential minerals. It is recommended for culture and introduction to the bodies of water across the country to further guarantee food fish security, especially in the poor coastal communities of the country.

Key words: Ecotype cichlid, “Wesafu”, chemical composition, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals.