Effect of Different Water Qualities On Clarias Gariepinus Growth And Survival

Abstract

Growth and survival of Clarias gariepinus in different water qualities were investigated. Initially, water of equal quality was used for the experiment, later the quality of water varies due to period of water change, (daily-T4, weekly-T3, bi-weekly-T2 and monthly-T1). Physico-chemical parameters were analyzed. Two hundred and forty (240) seven weeks old fingerlings of C. gariepinus were randomly distributed into 12 plastic tanks. Poor growth of C. gariepinus was observed in the treatment tanks (T1, T2 and T3), compared with growth of fish in the control (T4) which was progressive as indicated by the higher value of condition factor. Treatment tanks had significantly (P < 0.05) higher EC, TDS, Turbidity, Ammonia, Nitrate and Nitrite and significantly (P < 0.05) lower DO than culture water in control container. Slight growth was recorded for fish in T1 and T2 until the second week when drop in fish weight was observed. This study has shown that poor water quality can reduce growth rate and survival of C. gariepinus.