Length - Weight Relationship, Condition Factor and Bacterial Growth of Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Fingerlings Reared In Structured and Unstructured Water

Ihis study determined the length-weight relationship; condition factor and bacteria growth in catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings reared in structured and unstructured water (de-clorinated tap water). Structured Water used tor the study was obtained from Innovative Biotech Limited along Abuja - Keffi Road while de - chlorinated water (Unstructured Water) from the University environment. Two (2) treatments were replicated, each having three (3) groups. Clarias gariepinus fingerlings were grouped in tens (10) and put in six (6) glass aquarium measuring 60cm * 30cm * 30cm. Length - weight measurements were taken using electronic weighing balance, measuring board and a centimeter rule. Bacterial growth was analyzed using MacConkey Agar (MAC) and Eosin Methylene Blue Agar (EMB) methods. The regression analysis of the length - weight relationship of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings recorded b < 2.84 in structured water and b < 2.51 in unstructured water. This result showed that both structured water and unstructured water exhibited negative allometric growth pattern. The value of correlation coefficient (r) was 0.848 in SW and 0.816 in UW indicating a strong positive relationship between length and weight. The mean value for condition factor (K) was 1.00 in SW while UW recorded 0.99. Bacterial growth showed no result in both SW and UW when the initial gut samples of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings were analyzed. But the final analysis with the MAC method revealed that Catfish 0Clarias gariepinus) reared in SW recorded poor growth of bacteria in the fish gut while that of UW showed growth with pink-red colifonn indicating bacterial growth. In the EMB method, the final analysis treated with S W showed mucoid pink and colourless colonies, an indication of organism(s) fermenting neither lactose nor sucrose (no bacterial growth) while in UW, colonies appeared dark purple_to black patches showing bacterial growth in the experimental medium. Fish in S W grew better with no bacterial in the gut whereas reverse is the case in UW.