Stress Response of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell 1822) Juveniles Exposed to Different Stocking Densities

This study assessed the effect of stocking density on survival, growth and biochemical response (catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH)) of African catfish juveniles at different stocking densities (treatment 1 containing 5 fish/plastic tank, treatment 2 with the density of 10 fish /plastic tank and treatment 3 with the density of 30 fish/plastic tank) for a period of one month and all treatments were carried out in triplicate. Initial and finial number of fish stocked and the weight were recorded for survival and growth rate determination. Blood sample was collected at the end of the experiment for biochemical assay. All treatments showed 100% survival, Growth performance measurements revealed that T10fish/plastic tank achieved the highest mean value of specific growth rate(5.93±0.71a) than both the T5fish/plastic tank (4.92±0.71a) and T30fish/plastic tank (5.36±0.82a). Biochemical result showed no significant differences in GSH and CAT levels across groups (p > 0.05). The findings of this study highlight the significance of maintaining appropriate stocking density to enhance growth performance and survival rates, thereby promoting better management strategies that improve fish health and welfare.