Propagation, Growth and Haematology of Fish Cultured in Water from a Natural Stream and Underground Tubewell Sources

Propagation, growth and haematology of Clarias gariepinus bred and reared in water from a natural stream at 5o28’N, 7o32’E (Nature stream) and two wells at 5.4810N, 7.5370E (well-1) and 5.4770N, 7.5390E (well-2) were studied. The study was carried out in search of suitable water within close proximity for fish propagation. Growth was evaluated once in two weeks. Haematological parameters of the fingerlings were examined at 70 day post hatch. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in egg fertilization, hatchability, larval survival, growth and blood parameters among the treatments. Fish exposed to water from the natural stream impacted best propagation indices including fastest growth and highest values of Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC). Fish for well-1 and well-2 were not statistically different (P>0.05) in PCV and MCHC. Apart from these two parameters, values of all the other blood parameters including growth were significantly lower (P<0.05) in fish for well-2 than those for well-1. The disparities observed signifies differences in water quality which is indicative for the presence of contaminant not identified in this study. The report recommended inclusion of heavy metals and organic mineral analysis in future study to identify the cause of the observed alterations.