Ichthyohaematological Studies On The Electric Catfish, <i>Malapterurus eletricus</i> (Gmelin, 1789) (Pisces: Malapteruridae)

Abstract

Haematological profile of Malapterurus eletricus (Gmelin 1789) was determined. The physical parameters of erythrocyte and leucocytes, haemoglobin concentration, haematoctit value and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, were 0.852960 ± 1.2914989(10⁶mm^-3), 0.22872 ±0.497 (10⁴mm^-3), 14.36 ± 2.34g/dl, 31 ± 2.84% respectively. The erythrocyte indices of mean corpuscular volume mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular haemoglobin were 0.052 ±0.02FL, 46.03 ± 3.44g/dl, 0.000024 ± 0.0000079pg, respectively. Plasma electrolytes were: plasma sodium 25.90 ± 4.02mM, plasma potassium 14.13 ± 3.83mM, plasma chloride 3.8 ± 2.37mM, plasma magnesium 9.09 ± 4.39mM, plasma glucose 43.12± 16.07mg/dl.and plasma albumin 7.53 ± 1.83mg/dl. Where there was a positive correlation between some parameters (e.g. erythrocyte and leucocytes r 0.740 at p<0.01 level), there was a negative correlation between others (e.g. erythrocyte and mean cell haemoglobin r-0.834 at p<0.01 level). Implications of the results are discussed.

Key Words: Icthyohaematological, Electric catfish, Malapterurus eletricus, blood parameters (blood counts, eletrocytes, and biochemicals)

Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol.3(1&2) 2004: 5-14