Haematological and Serum Biochemical Profiles of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Fed Commercial and Farm-made Feeds

The present study was carried out to determine the haematological and serum biochemical profiles of Clarias gariepinus juveniles fed commercial and farm-made feeds and reared in intermediate bulk containers (IBC) tanks. Nine hundred juveniles (15.15±3.48g; 128.37± 9.67mm) were stocked in 09 IBC tanks (1m3) at a density of 100 fish/tank in triplicate and fed with imported extruded (Le), locally pelleted (Lpe) and locally extruded (Lex) feeds thrice a day to satiation for 16 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from 10 fish/ dietary treatment to determine haematological and biochemical indices. Results revealed that Red Blood Cells Count, Packed Cell volume and Haemoglobin concentration were highest (p<0.05) in fish fed with “Le” feed while Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration, Mean Cell Haemoglobin, Mean Cell Volume, White Blood Cells Count, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Granulocytes and Platelets showed no significant difference (p>0.05) among the dietary treatments. As for serum biochemistry, Total Cholesterol and Glucose were highest (p<0.05) in fish fed with “Le” feed while Total Protein, Alanine Transaminase, Aspartate Transaminase and Alkaline Phosphatase were significantly higher (p<0.05) in fish fed “Lpe” and “Lex” feeds. Conclusively, variation of dietary treatments was not detrimental to the health status of C. gariepinus reared in plastic IBC tanks.