INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT TEMPERATURE LEVELS ON SOME GROWTH PARAMETERS AND SURVTVAL RATES OF Clarias anguillarisFINGERLINGS UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS IN MINNA, NIGERIA

Abstract

The'effetts of different temperature levels o'n some growth parameters and survival rates of Clarias anguillaris fingerlings under laboratory conditions were investigated. The Set-up consisted of 4,treatments and 2 replicates each, Temperatures were fixed at 300C, 320C, 340C and 26.66+0.20C (control)" Each of the experimentaltanks was stocked with randomly selected 50 fingerlings. Growth and physicochemical parameters were determined weekly based on standard procedures. The survival rates were monitored daily while exchange of water was done twice a week. The fishes were fed to satiation twice daiiy, Temperature had no significant influence (P>0.05) on fish length. However, body weights were not significantiy different (P.>0.05) in the tested temperature levels in weeks 1, 3,"and 5. Body weight (1.97+0.339) of the fingerlings raised at 32.000C reduced significantly (P<0.05) in week 2. Temperature had no signlficant influence (P>0.05) on pH, D0, B0D, survival and specilic growth rates. Ammonia concentration increased significantly (P<0,05) as temperature increased from 1.11+0.10 at 26.66+0.2BoC to 1.BB+0:06 mB/Y at 340C. Temperature increased significantiy (P<0.05) the electrical conductivity ranged from 519.92+5.0BpS/cm at 26.66+0.280C to 586.33t17,50pS/cm at 300C, Fingerlings raised from 26.66+0.20C to 320C were significantly (P<0.05) higher in final body weights (ranged from7.57-F1.17 at 320C to 8.32t 1..21.9 at 300C) and weight gains (ranged from 6'27 at 32oC to 7,02g at 300C). Percentage weight gain (540.00%) was significantly (P<0.05) highest at 300C. The final body weight, weight gain and percentage weight gain reduced at 34.00"C.The electrical conductivity and ammonia concentration of cultured media of C.anguillazs fingerlings increased with increase in water temperature. Water temperatures between 26'66 - 32.000C would support the growth and survival rates of C. anguillazsfingerlings.