IMPACT OF CATFISH DENSITY ON THE WASTE PRODUCTION, WATER QUALITY AND MORTALITY : COMPARISON BETWEEN RUNNING AND STAGNANT WATER SYSTEM

The objective of this study was to observe the effect of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus
density in stagnant and running water systems on the waste production, water quality and
mortality. Nine months old male catfish having average weight of 50.00g were placed in running
and stagnant water systems with density of 35 and 70, respectively. Water samples were collected
twice daily and analyzed for ammonia nitrogen, phosphate and nitrate contents. The samples
were analyzed with HACH spectrophotometers DR2800. Water samples temperature, pH and
mortality rate were also recorded for each sampling. The results showed significant difference
with higher value in stagnant than running water system for ammonia nitrogen (25.95±3.38
mg/L), phosphate (14.14±1.37 mg/L) and nitrate (2.28±0.25 mg/L) with density of 35 catfish.
Similar result was obtained for density of 70 catfish which was significantly higher for stagnant
than running water system. This study allow to conclude that African catfish were more suitable
to be reared in running than stagnant water system. This is due to the ability of the running
water system to maintain water quality in terms of waste production which was harmful to the
catfish.