Behavioural And Histopathological Response Of Clarias Gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Juvenile Exposed To Quarry Particles

Abstract:

Clarias gariepinus respire bio modally. Which tolerates both well and poorly oxygenated waters. The present study investigated the effects of quarry particles on the behaviour and histopathology of clarias gariepinus juvenile. It also evaluates the effects of quarry on the ecosystem. Clarias gariepinus juveniles were obtained from the ministry of agriculture fish farm, Ikenne, Remo Ogun State on the 9th of March 2020, at 3 weeks and 6 days of age and acclimatized in Animal-House, Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology. Physico-chemical parameters of the water were examined, water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen concentrations (DO), electric conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids were measured daily (28.0 ± 0.1 °C, 7.8 ± 0.025 pH, 3.05 ± 1.3ppm D.O, 683.75 ± 50μs/cm and 432.33 ± 64ppm). Behavioural changes were observed, the fishes were sacrificed and histopathology experiment procedure was carried out. Behavioural changes in fish exposed to quarry particles ranged from active swimming, gasping of air, regurgitating and rushing of food, hyperactivity and restlessness. Similar changes were not observed in the control throughout the experiment. Histopathology of the liver of fish exposed to quarry particles of 150g revealed severe damage and necrosis of the liver cells when compared with the control which had a normal distribution of hepatic cells. Conclusively, quarry particles can affect fish organs and it causes histopathological changes in organs like fish bone, muscle, gills and liver. Actions should be taken in the measure of quarry particles processing. Government should make policies on quarry industries. Monitoring personnel should be deployed.