Impact of Water Change Frequency on the Growth of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Fingerlings
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70882/josrar.2026.v3i2.161Keywords:
Clarias, Fingerlings, Physico-chemical ParametersAbstract
This study evaluated the impact of water change frequency on the growth of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. Fingerlings with an initial mean weight of 3.99g to 5.20g were stocked (10 fish per tank) across eight tanks and subjected to four treatments: T1 (water change every two days), T2 (every four days), T3 (every seven days), and T4 (every fourteen days). Physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solid, phosphorous- phosphate and nitrate-nitrogen) and growth Parameters (weight gain and length gain) were monitored using standard methods over 28 days. Results showed T2 and T3 gave the best growth with highest values for specific growth rate, relative growth rate, average daily growth and condition factor with significant differences (p<0.05). Water quality parameters were within ideal ranges, except for dissolved oxygen, which varied different from the standard. Correlation analysis revealed that dissolved oxygen (r = 0.11 for weight gain, r = 0.62 for length gain) and turbidity (r = 0.38 for weight gain, r = 0.78 for length gain) had positive relationships with growth parameters. Other parameters showed varying negative correlations, suggesting that higher level of these parameters might not favour growth under the experimental conditions. The findings suggests that water changes every 4-7 days may provide optimal conditions for growth in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings, highlighting the importance of balanced water quality management for sustainable aquaculture practices.
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