Acute toxicity of butaforce on Clarias gariepinus juveniles and impacts on haematological parameters

Abstract

The research investigated acute toxicity of Butaforce on juveniles Clarias gariepinus, and its impact on hematological parameters. Fish samples were exposed to lethal concentrations {0.00ul/l (control), 0.02ul/l, 0.04ul/l, 0.06ul/l and 0.08ul/l} of Butaforce in a static renewal bioassay for 96 hours. Fish behaviour and mortality were monitored throughout this period. At the end of the exposure time, blood samples were collected from exposed fish for haematological analysis using standard procedure. Results showed that fish in each of the toxicant concentration showed increased in physical and behavioral movement at the initial phase of exposure. Behavioral responses such as erratic swimming, loss of equilibrium, crowding in one place, rapid opercular movement, gasping for energy and air, startle responses and mucus secretion were observed. However, no adverse behavioral responses were recorded throughout the period of the experiment on the control group. Percentage mortality increased with increasing concentration of Butaforce. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in mortality indicated dose and time-depended relationship. The results of haematological study revealed the least red blood cell counts of 0.21 x 10⁶/ml in fish exposed to 0.08µl/l Butaforce concentration when compared with 6.94 x 10⁶/ml obtained in the control group. The highest white blood cell (WBC) counts of 9.92 x 10³/ml was recorded in 0.8µl/l while the least WBC counts was obtained in the control group with a value of 4.47 x 10³/ml. The lowest value of haemoglobin (1.11g/dl) was recorded in 0.8µl/l and 6.86±0.06 (g/dl) in the control. Other haematological variables followed similar trend. The 96hr LC₅₀ value was 0.024ul/l. The results of the present study revealed that Butaforce caused disruption to the physical and behavioral patterns in C. gariepinus juveniles. Thus, Butaforce could cause various toxicological and haematological effects in C. gariepinus juveniles even at low concentration of 0.02ul/.