ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Condition Factor, Haematology and Serumbiochemistry of Adult African Carp (Labeo coubie. Ruppell, 1832) from the Benue River Basin, Nigeria 

Study evaluated for two seasons (July 2018 and August 2019), the relationship between fish biometry, fish haematology, serum biochemistry and the environmental conditions in 243 apparently healthy adult African Carp fish (Labeo cubie) sampled from three locations along the Benue River and its adjoining wetlands. Fish length, weight and condition factor differed significantly (p < 0.05) between seasons with fish sampled in the raining season being significantly (p< 0.05) heavier (> 470 g). The erythrocytes counts, leucocytes count and packed cell volume varied significantly (p < 0.05) with sapling sites and season. Serum glucose concentration, transaminases and alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the dry season. Total protein, albumin and urea nitrogen concentrations were significantly higher in the raining season. Water temperature, turbidity and electrical conductivity were significantly higher in the dry season and varied significantly between seasons and sampling sites. This is the first study to document the biometry, haematology and serum biochemistry and the physico-chemical parameters of water needed for the culture and management/conservation of L. cubie. This data set could serve, as benchmark for future investigation of the zootechnical requirements for the culture and or management of feral populations of Labeo cubie.