The concentration of some heavy metals (Cd, Fe, Pb, Cu, Ni and Cr) in the different organs (Liver, Gills, Muscle and Kidney) was determined in the African Catfish – Clariasgariepinus from Okilo creek, in Rivers State, Nigeria. The concentration of cadmium (0.001mg/kg) was uniform in all the organs studied, however, that of iron and lead ranged from 28.665 – 58.817 and 0.039 – 0.577 respectively. Similarly, the concentration of Copper, Nickel and Chromium in the different organs under investigation fluctuated from 0.934 – 3.702; 1.243 – 3.689 and 0.09 – 2.859 respectively. The order of metal concentration in the organs concerned are as follows – Liver – Fe > Ni > Cu > Cr >Pb> Cd; Gills – Fe > Ni > Cu > Cr >Pb> Cd; Muscle – Fe > Cu > Ni > Cr >Pb> Cd and kidney- Fe > Cu > Ni > Cr >Pb> Cd. The accumulation of heavy metals by the different organs in the investigation showed that the kidney is the highest accumulator followed by the liver, muscle and gills. The concentration of lead and copper in the kidney and chromium in the muscle, liver and kidney are above the stated limits of different authorities thus making the consumption of catfish from the study area a potential health hazard.
