EFFECT OF OXYTETRACYCLINE ON GROWTH, ORGANOSOMATIC INDICES AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDIES ON JUVENILE CLARIAS GARIEPINUS

Abstract

The use of antibiotics as growth promoters have been reported to be of high prevalence among cat fish farmers in Nigeria due to high stocking density and prevalence of diseases. Several antibiotics have been used, but the most common is oxytetracycline due to its broad-spectrum activity. Its utilization is subject to various abused and uncontrolled dosages. Therefore this study evaluates the effect of oxytetracycline on growth, organosomatic indices and histopathological studies on juvenile Clariasgariepinus. The healthy Juvenile (n=20, mean weight 10.94+ 0.01) were randomly sorted, weighed and stocked into the experimental tank in triplicates using completely randomized design. The fish were fed at 5% body weight twice daily for 84 days. The result showed improved rearing indices such as total weight gain, mean weight gain, and specific growth rate among the fish feed experimental diet. There was significant variation within the organosomatic indices among treatments. Histopathological examination of the liver of C. gariepinus showmild diffuses vacuolation, with portal and central venous congestion with promiment melanomacrophage center. This result showed the efficacy of oxytetracycline as growth promotant, but its affect the health integrity of the fish due to promolong exposure