Hematological profile of <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> reared in different culture systems

Abstract

Clarias gariepinus, a typical freshwater clariid species in the coast of Africa is an essential fish species given its immense contribution to the nutritional needs, economic growth and development of any African nation including Nigeria. Knowledge of current health status of Clarias gariepinus reared in different culture media is lacking in Nigeria. Therefore, this study was conducted in six randomly selected fish farms in three agricultural zones in Lagos State, South Western Nigeria to determine the hematological variations of juveniles and adults of C. gariepinus reared in two culture systems (earthen ponds and concrete tanks). Hematogical results showed that red blood cells, packed cell volume and hemoglobin increased significantly (p < 0.05) in fish reared in concrete tanks with highest mean red blood cells (RBC) 2.54±0.64 cells x 10¹², packed cell volume (PCV) 36.56±5.56 % and hemoglobin 15.83±7.32 g/L while white blood cells, leucocytes and platelets increased significantly in fish reared in earthen ponds, indicating infection and poor health status. A marked decrease observed in the RBC, PCV, hemoglobin and corpuscular volume (MCV) of fish reared in earthen ponds are diagnostic elements, predisposing factors for microcytic fish anemia, a health phenomenon in cultured catfish.