EFFECTIVENESS OF CLOVE SEED EXTRACTS AS ANAESTHETICS IN TRANSPORTATION OF Tilapia guineensis JUVENILES

Abstract

The effectiveness of clove seed extracts as a viable anaesthetic agent in transportation of Tilapia guineensis were evaluated. Juveniles of T. guineensis (mean length 13.12cm ±1.20; mean weight 45.64g ±1.84) were exposed in three replicates to different concentrations (0.00mg/L- control; 5.00; 10.00; 15.00; 20.00 and 25.00mg/L) of clove seed aqueous extracts, extracted in water . The exposed fish were later transported in open plastic tanks from Buguma to Aluu, in Port Harcourt over a distance of 50km. Before and after transportation, glucose and cortisol levels in the plasma of the fish were assessed. The result of the study indicated a significant reduction (P