Haematological Response of <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> Juveniles Rearedin Treated Wastewater after Waste Solids Removal using Alum or <i>Moringa oleifera</i> Seed Powder

Abstract

Possibility of reusing fish culture effluent water for the culture of Clarias gariepinus was evaluated after treatment of the water using alum or Moringa oliefera seed powder to remove wastes solids. The effects of alum or Moringa oleifera seed powder treated wastewater on the health and well-being of Clarias gariepinus juveniles was investigated for a period of twelve weeks using hematological parameters as indices of fish health C. gariepinus juveniles of average weight 10 g were randomly distributed into plastic tanks at 10 fish/tank in triplicates for each wastes solids removal treatments, while the fish reared in deep well water served as control. Haematological parameters; red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb), platelet, white blood cell (WBC) and packed cell volume (PCV) were evaluated. Significant increase (P<0.05) was observed in WBC, platelet and heterophils for fish cultured in alum powder treated wastewater compared to that of moringa seed powder treated wastewater and the control. There was also significant decrease in the PCV, RBC, Hb and lymphocytes in alum powder treated wastewater (17.00±1.73%, 1.14±0.01x103 mm -3 , 5.37±0.12 g/100 ml and 48.67±2.31% respectively) compared to that of the control (25.67±5.03%, 2.18±1.04x103 mm -3 ,8.37±1.60 g/100 ml and 64.67±5.86%) and moringa seed powder treated wastewater (27.00±1.73%, 2.58±0.55x103 mm -3 , 8.53±0.15 g/100 ml and 60.00±5.57%). Fish cultured in moringa treated water are healthy, considering the haematological indices, hence moringa seed powder is recommended for wastes solid removal in fish culture systems.