Introduction
Water fouling reduction is needed in fish farming to reduce the number of times water is being changed. This study assessed the use of Musa acuminata as water fouling reduction and anti-stressor in cultured Clarias gariepinus.
Materials and Methods
Two hundred (200) fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus were purchased from LASU hatchery and stocked in a 500 litres tank for 3 weeks (21days) in order to induce stress on the fishes by overstocking, water was not changed and feeding was not regular and fed once per day. After 3 weeks, the fishes were separated into two different tanks of 500 litre capacity each. Each tank (labeled 1-2) was stocked with 100 fishes each. For Tank 1- the control, no banana leaves were added while Banana leaves were inserted into tank 2 for a duration of two (2) weeks, The behavioural responses were recorded daily. Physical and chemical parameters of the water were recorded in the control and experimental tank containing banana leaves and later analyzed. The leaf extracts and the blanks were analyzed at the World Bank Step B Laboratory of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, (FIIRO), Lagos State using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (SCHIMAZU-AA-7000).
Results
Average values for control and experimental tanks were Dissolved oxygen (5.70) mg/L, Carbon IV oxide (2.30) mg/L, Ammonia (0.50) mg/L, Temperature (27.72oC) and pH (6.65). Dissolved oxygen (3.75) mg/L, Carbon-dioxide (3.66) mg/L, Ammonia (1.20) mg/L, Temperature (26.38o C), pH (7.98) respectively. Mineral content of the tank with banana leaf had Ca (994.86)mg/L, Mg(515.46)mg/L, K(1558.22)mg/L, Na (21.40)mg/L, Fe(1418.05)mg/L, Zn(202.07)mg/L, Pb (0.007)mg/L, Cu(22.03)mg/L, Mn (188.09)mg/L and Ni(0.0075)mg/L. The average nutritional value of the banana leaf in the tank contained carbohydrate (85.13%), protein (3.18%), Fibre (3.04%), Ash content (1.22%), Moisture content (7.01%) and Fat content (0.62%). The values in the tank containing the banana leaves were found to be higher but within the WHO permissible limits. The high values indicate a high mineral, chemical and nutritional content than the control tank. The GC-MS revealed the presence of hexadecanoic acid, Tocopherol (vitamin E), phytol and phthalates compounds and other twenty (20) chemical compounds obtained in musa acuminata . These chemical composition influences fouling reduction, and reduction of stress- related diseases in Clarias gariepinus.
Conclusion
Phytochemicals present in banana leaf infuses into the water and induces water fouling reduction for 30 days in stressed Clarias gariepinus fish in culturing system.