An Assessment of the Impacts of Climate Change on African Catfish Fingerling (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822)

Climate change standard forecasts have heightened incidence of severe weather actions like floods and protracted famine. This in effect increases periodic volume of water level fluctuation in lentic water bodies thereby altering their natural composition. Too much water level variation is projected to have more serious effect on the morphology, role and biodiversity of marshy localities than effects due to increase in temperature due to change in climate pattern. This study was undertaken, to unravel specific areas and extent of water level effects on fishes. It is specifically targeted at assessing the effect of water levels on Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. The results will be useful for aquaculture as adaptation strategies are needed to contain the effect of water level fluctuation in the wild. A total of 180 Clarias gariepinus fingerlings were randomly distributed into 18-plastic tanks at 10-fish per tank for a 56-day growth trial. Growth performance, haematology and carcass composition were assessed at the end of the experiment. Results showed a significant difference (P > 0.05) in mean weight gain of fishes reared at varying water levels. The packed cell volume, red blood cell; mean corpuscular haemoglobin and corpuscular volume also showed significant differences (P > 0.05). Results indicate that water level variation has significant effect on haematology, growth and survival of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. These results highlight the vulnerability of fish, especially Clarias gariepinus in the face of climate change.