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Effect of nematode infection on the breeding potential of <I>clarias gariepinus.</I>
Abstract
A study was conducted to assess the breeding potential of Clarias gariepinus broodstock that were infected with the nematode, Eustronglylides africanus. 250 fry were stocked per tank in 3 replication for Infected (Treatment I) and Non-infected Treatment II). Mean initial and final weight of Infected and Non-Infected Clarias gariepinus species
were 0.122 g and 3.31 g; 0.125 g and 3.52 g respectively. Infected and Non-infected broodstock recorded fecundity of 531,900 and 843,604 eggs respectively. Percentage hatchling for infected fish was 63 % while non-infected was 71 %. The specific growth rate was 0.13 and 0.17 respectively for infected and non-infected fish. The value 1.853±0.417a and 1.146±0.334b shows mortality for infected and non-infected fish respectively (P<0.05). Similarly, percentage cumulative mortality/survival for infected and non-infected fish was 11.4 %, 88.5 % and 6.4 %, 93.6 %
respectively. The water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity and PH were monitored regularly throughout the experimental period. On the whole the non-infected fish gave better result in terms of hatchability, survival and growth. Eustronglylides africanus worms found under the skin and visceral cavity of Clarias gariepinus do not completely hinder reproduction/breeding, although the result in terms of survival and growth rate may not be as good as that of uninfected fish.
were 0.122 g and 3.31 g; 0.125 g and 3.52 g respectively. Infected and Non-infected broodstock recorded fecundity of 531,900 and 843,604 eggs respectively. Percentage hatchling for infected fish was 63 % while non-infected was 71 %. The specific growth rate was 0.13 and 0.17 respectively for infected and non-infected fish. The value 1.853±0.417a and 1.146±0.334b shows mortality for infected and non-infected fish respectively (P<0.05). Similarly, percentage cumulative mortality/survival for infected and non-infected fish was 11.4 %, 88.5 % and 6.4 %, 93.6 %
respectively. The water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity and PH were monitored regularly throughout the experimental period. On the whole the non-infected fish gave better result in terms of hatchability, survival and growth. Eustronglylides africanus worms found under the skin and visceral cavity of Clarias gariepinus do not completely hinder reproduction/breeding, although the result in terms of survival and growth rate may not be as good as that of uninfected fish.
