Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development

Abstract

Gonado-hepatosomatic Indexes of Clarias gariepinus Sub-adult Exposed to Artrazine, Cocos nucifera Water and Phyllanthus muelarianus Extract

Ada Fidelis Bekeh, Ayotunde Ezekiel Olatunji and William Kinsley Bassey

Success in fish culture is influenced by several factors. Elucidation of influences of some of these factors has become necessary as there is a lingering need to narrow the gap between supply and demand in the fish market in Nigeria. The influence of Atrazine (a systemic herbicide), coconut water (Cocos nucifera: also called coconut milk due to its rich nutrients content) and Phyllanthus muellerianus extract (a medicinal plant) on the gonads and liver were investigated. Ten fish were randomly selected and cultured in each tank containing 40 L of water for a particular treatment with three replicates. The average weight 76.26 ± 0.92 g and standard length 22.50 ± 0.61 cm were used for Atrazine experiment. For coconut water, the fish of weight 62.86 ±1.52 g and standard length 19.68 ± 0.73 cm were used. In Phyllanthus muellerianus experiment, fish with average weight 65.99 g and standard length 21.72.72 ± 0.92 cm were used. Atrazine and coconut water were lethal to Clarias gariepinus and had the LC5096 hours as 6.0 mg/L and 250.0 mg/L respectively. Phyllanthus muellerianus did not kill any fish for the fourteen day period of culture. All the three factors did not change the gonadosomatic index nor the hepatosomatic index significantly compared to the control. This observation did necessarily mean lack of influence on these organs but could be attributed to short periods for which the experiment was conducted.