Author(s): Ada Fidelis Bekeh, Ayotunde Ezekiel Olatunji and Omeagu Sandra Georgina

Abstract: Apart from the dwindling feral fish stock, human population is increasing fast. This requires more effort to produce fish at levels that will close the gap between demand and supply. The growth of a farmed fish is influenced by its health. One important parameter for health determination is the blood. Investigation on the influence of Phyllanthus muellerianus leaves extract on haematology of Clarias gariepinus was carried out. In this experiment, the fish of weight 77.33 +1.81 g and total length 21.72 +0.42 cm were exposed to different concentrations (0.0 mg/L, 8.0 mg/L, 16.0 mg/L, 36.0 mg/L, 65 mg/L, 130.0 mg/L and 260.0 mg/L) of the leaves extract. The extract was prepared by pounding the leaves and filtered. The filtrate was boiled to 100 ⁰C for ten minutes. Ten fish each was stocked in 30 L of water containing different concentrations with three replicates. The culture lasted for 14 days with feeding at 6% body weight after which the blood was extracted with heparinized syringes and taken EDTA bottles to the laboratory. Blood was analyzed using computerized, automated hematological analyzer (Sysmex kx-21Nâ„¢. The result showed that biological and behaviours of the fish were not different from that of the control. Among the physicochemical parameters, dissolved oxygen concentration conductivity and pH were lower in the treated groups. There was no change in temperature. The neutrophils and Lymphocyte did not differ due to treatment, the Monocytes, Basophils and eosinophils show significant difference due to exposure to Phyllanthus leaves extract (É‘ = 0.05). It is safe to conclude that Phyllanthus _muellerianus leaves extract can be incorporated into the feeds of Clarias gariepinus for healthy growth.

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