SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF BASAGRAN HERBICIDE ON BEHAVIOR AND SOME HAEMATOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF C. gariepinus.

The influences of basagran, a widely used herbicide on the behavioural actions,( Opercular and tail fin beats) per minutes and the haematological characteristics of blood on juveniles of C. gariepinus were investigated under laboratory conditions. The orders of behavior of the fish were restlessness, loss of balance, air gulping and period of quiescence and finally death. Also, blood and mucus around the gills of the fish certified death were observed. However, the intensity of their actions and mucus accumulation were more pronounced in tanks containing the higher levels of the toxicant. The opercula ventilation and tail fin beats ware significantly (P<0.05) higher than in the control fish at the exposure period of 12, 24 and 48hrs. By 72- 96-hrs both the opercula and tail fin beats of the exposed fish showed marked reduction compared to the control tanks. The results of the opercula and tail fin beats were seen to be dose-dependent. Haematological results showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the values of haematocrit and total erythrocytes count with increase in concentration and time of exposure where as the values of total leucocytes count increase with increase in concentration.