Comparative Study on the Condition Factor, Hematological and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Wild and Hatchery Collected Broodfish of the African Catfish Heterobranchus longifilis (Valenciennes 1840)

This study was conducted to investigate the condition factor, hematological and serum biochemical parameters of wild and hatchery collected broodfish of the African Catfish (Heterobranchus longifilis) and used as an indicator of their health condition. A total of 30 wild broodfish of the African Catfish, Heterobranchus longifilis (15 males and 15 females) of mean length (62.13 ± 0.80 cm) and mean body weight (1506.50 ± 44.82 g) were collected from Ayadehe, Itu Head Bridge and 30 broodfish (15 males and 15 females) of mean length (61.93 ± 0.69 cm) and mean body weight (1499.84 ± 46.28 g) were collected from a private hatchery located in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, and used for the study. Results showed that there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the hematological parameters including PCV, WBC, Hemoglobin, RBC, MCV, MCH and MCHC of both male and female wild and hatchery-bred broodfish of H. longifilis. Similarly, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the serum biochemical parameters including cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose and urea in both male and female wild and hatchery-bred broodfish of H. longifilis. Condition factor of male, female and pooled sex of both the wild and hatchery broodfish of H. longifilis showed that the fishes were in healthy condition. Hematological and serum biochemical parameters are very useful tools in analyzing the health status of broodfish as they provide reliable information the stress status which could influence broodfish reproductive performance. The result of this study, along with other findings will provide a reference for catfish breeders and aquaculturists evaluating the health status of hatchery and wild H. longifilis.