Growth Response of Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Exposed to Water Soluble Fraction of Detergent and Diesel Oil

The growth and behavioural survival of catfish (Clarias gariepius) was studied. About 10 fishes of average weight 3.5 kg and length 3.05 cm2 were stocked per aquarium tank containing four WSF of detergent and four WSF diesel oil with replicate. The fishes were fed twice daily at 2.5% of their body weight for 21 days. The weights of the fishes were taken every 7 days. The percentage survival observed in all exposures increased with decreasing concentration. Detergent showed the highest mortality within the first 24 h, other behavioural symptoms include increased operculum beat, erratic swimming, loss of equilibrium and gasping for air. The result showed that sub-lethal concentration effect of the WSF of the detergent and diesel oil reduces the growth of C. gariepius. The mean growth of the control fingerlings was 1.80 g while that of WSF of detergent was 1.26 g and WSF diesel oil was 1.35 g in 21 days, respectively. The relative growth rate after 21 days were +6.4% for diesel oil, +5.9% for detergent while that of the control was +8.4% for the mean value. The results showed that a detergent affects the growth and survival of catfish fingerlings than crude oil.