Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences

Abstract
Water quality is a critical determinant of success in aquaculture, yet its management often depends on farmers' knowledge, understanding and practices. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of fish farmers regarding water quality management in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire administered to 102 fish farmers across the six area councils of the FCT. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed a significant gap between attitude and practice: while 68% of farmers believed water quality affected fish health, only 32% actively monitored any water quality parameter. Among those parameters monitored, pH was the most tracked parameter (58%), while crucial parameters like dissolved oxygen, ammonia and nitrite were largely ignored. Farmers primarily relied on visual cues like water colour (11%) and bad smell (10%) for water quality assessment. Management practices were suboptimal: 54% changed water daily, but none used aeration. Boreholes were the primary water source (44%). Disease management was heavily dependent on antibiotics, with 43% using them for treatment and 21% for prevention. Oxytetracycline (33%) and Enrofloxacin (32%) were the most used antibiotics, and 56% of farmers reported antibiotic treatment failures. Mortalities were common, with 37% of farmers experiencing over 21% mortality per production cycle, peaking during the dry season (50%). There is an urgent need for targeted extension programmes, training on practical water quality monitoring and prudent antimicrobial use to enhance sustainable aquaculture.

Keywords: Aquaculture; Knowledge-attitude-practices; Water quality management; Fish farmers; Antibiotic use; FCT, Abuja Nigeria.

How to cite this article:
Umeakuana PU, Agbato AO, Ilo RC and Kolawole VO (2026). Knowledge, attitude anpractices (KAP) of fish farmers
regarding water quality management and antimicrobial usage in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. Journal
of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 16(1): 1427 – 1438.

*Correspondence: E-mail: paschal.umeakuana@uniabuja.edu.ng Phone: +2348065302447

Knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of fish farmers regarding water quality management and antimicrobial usage in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Paschal U. Umeakuana ^{1 *}, Adeyinka O. Agbato ², Reuphina C. Ilo ¹ and Victor O. Kolawole ¹¹Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Nigeria.
²Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Animal Care Service Konsult (Nig.) Limited, Nyanya, Abuja, Nigeria.