Acute toxicity of the root extract of Jimson's weed (Datura Innoxia) to the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings

Abstract

Datura innoxia root extract was exposed to fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus (mean weight: 10.20 + 0.38 g) for 96 hours under laboratory conditions using static bioassays with continuous aeration to determine its acute toxicity. The LC50 of the exposed fingerlings was found to be 204.17 mg/L with lower and upper confidence limits being 125.89 and 384.59 mg/L respectively. The fish exhibited loss of balance, respiratory distress and swam erratically just before death.


Key words: Catfish, Clarias gariepinus, Datura innoxia, Datura innoxia, toxicity.


Journal of Aquatic Sciences Vol.17(2) 2002:131-133