The effects of pineapple and orange juice as e-adhesion agents on Clarias gariepinus (African catfish) eggs

Abstract

The adhesive nature of eggs of Clarias gariepinus often results in the challenge of egg clusters during the induced breeding of this species. This study examined the possibility of using pineapple and orange extracts in the eradication of egg gluiness thus improving spawning in Clarias gariepinus. Three males and six female brood stocks were used for the study. Five treatments including pineapple and orange solution concentrations at 1% and 3% and the control (without juice) were used in the study. The highest fertilization rate (99% ± 0.1000), hatching rate (73.53% ± 4.3753) and survival rate (92.17% ± 2.9195) were found with the treatment of 1% orange juice solution followed by 1% pineapple juice and was significantly different from those obtained from other treatments (P<0.05). The fertilization and hatching rate decrease with a corresponding increase in the concentration of the juice (pineapple and orange). Orange juice and pineapple juice extract (1%) has a positive effect in reducing the stickiness of Clarias gariepinus eggs and improved the fertilization and hatching and survival rate. It is, therefore, recommended that 1% orange juice and pineapple juice should be used for de-sticking C. gariepinus eggs.