Effect of Bitter Kola Seed Extract on Water Quality and Short Term Growth Performance of Clarias gariepinus Hatchlings from Exposed Broodstock
Nwafili S.A and Anele Precious
Department of Fisheries
University of Port Harcourt
Email: sylvanus.nwafili@uniport.edu.ng
ABSTRACT
The bitter kola, Garcina kola is an important plant distributed in West Africa and its efficacy in handling fish hatchery challenges have been tested and documented. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of the G. kola on the hatchability of Clarias gariepinus broodfish and short-term survival of fry. C. gariepinus broodfish were exposed to the same concentration of bitter kola powder. After fertilization, products
were incubated in medium containing 1.0, 1.5, and 2g bitter kola seed extract. The control had no bitter kola seed extract. 2 weeks after hatching, the fry were fed with the commercial feed Coppens in which 0.00, 1.00, 1.5 and 2.0gms of bitter kola powder was incorporated for 56 days. The water quality parameters varied following increasing level of bitter kola seed extract but non-significant (p˃0.05). The ammonia level also followed the same trend approaching intolerable levels for fish production. Hatchability, growth and survival were significantly higher in the control
(p˂0.05) relative the treatments. The elevated levels of ammonia may be responsible for the difference between the control and the treatment. This study is useful to scientists, hatchery managers and fish growers and it emphasizes the need to optimize protocols and conditions for the utilization of phyto resources for improved husbandry practices.
