The effects of detergent and fertilizer toxicity on growth rate, nutrient utilization and survival of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) fingerlings reared under controlled condition

Abstract

Study on the effects of metals on growth rate and survival of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) fingerlings bred in tanks containing water concentrated with inorganic fertilizer and detergent was conducted. 300 fingerlings of C. gariepinus (7.5±0.24) were stocked into different tanks of 5000m3 capacity water and fed with formulated diet for 8 weeks. The tanks were treated with 0ml, 50ml, 100ml, 150ml, 200ml and 250 ml of inorganic detergent and fertilizer respectively. The metal content in the fish was determined through wet acid digestion and extraction procedure using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, while growth was determined using indices method. The values obtained for Cu, Zn, Mg, P, Cd, Pb, Mn, K and Na respectively were generally below the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) limits. The survival rate recorded for fingerlings treated with fertilizer was 99% for all concentrations but a range between 88% to 0% survival was recorded for fingerlings stocked in detergent treated water. Toxicity behavior response observed in this study were, slow movement, gulping for atmospheric oxygen, darting and erratic swimming. The results obtained indicated that concentration of 50ml detergent and 100ml of fertilizer were the suitable and tolerable limits in terms of growth and survival for culturing C. gariepinus fingerlings.