JOURNAL OF BIOSCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY DISCOVERY
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2536-7064
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JBBD
Start Year: 2016
Email: jbbd@integrityresjournals.org
Sedative responses of Clarias gariepinus and Heterobranchus longifilis broodstocks to lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) leaf extract after stripping and during transportation
https://doi.org/10.31248/JBBD2026.265 | Article Number: 6C86021B4 | Vol.11 (3) - August 2026
Received Date: 12 August 2026 | Accepted Date: 26 August 2026 | Published Date: 30 August 2026
Authors: Robert, E. A.* , Yem, I. Y. , Landu, E. J. , Gwari, B. M. , Ogbuebunu, K. E. , Manuwuike, Q. M. and Owolabi, E. S.
Keywords: Heterobranchus longifilis, Clarias gariepinus, Anaesthesia, lime leaves extract, sedation time, recovery time, after stripping, during transportation.
Handling catfish properly has precipitated the use of anaesthesia to minimise stress and prevent injuries. This study aims to show the efficacy of lime leaf extract as a sedative for Clarias gariepinus and Heterobranchus longifilis female broodstocks, after stripping and during transportation of broodfish to a fish farm in New Bussa. A total of 48 female broodstocks, comprising 24 C. gariepinus and 24 H. longifilis, were assigned to three lime leaf extract concentrations (0 mg/L, 50 mg/L and 100 mg/L) under two experimental conditions: post-stripping and transportation. Each treatment was conducted in duplicate. Clarias gariepinus♀ were sedated at 1.20 minutes for the 50mg/l inclusion level after stripping; and at 1.46minutes during transportation. At 100 mg/L, sedation occurred at 42 seconds and 60 seconds in C. gariepinus after stripping and during transportation, respectively. Heterobranchus longifilis♀ were sedated at 1.12 minutes under the 50 mg/L inclusion level after stripping and 1.28 minutes during transportation. Heterobranchus longifilis ♀ in the 100 mg/L treatment were sedated at 0.30 seconds after stripping and 0.46 seconds during transportation. Recovery time for Clarias gariepinus♀ in the 50mg/L holding recorded 3.00 minutes after stripping and 4.15 minutes during transportation. Clarias gariepinus♀ in the 100mg/L treatment recorded 26.0 minutes recovery time after stripping; and 35.0 minutes during transportation. Heterobranchus longifilis♀ in the 50 mg/L and 100 mg/L treatments, after stripping, reported recovery times as 4.0 minutes and 33.0 minutes, respectively. 5.20 minutes and 41.0 minutes were recovery times during transportation for Heterobranchus longifilis. Recovery time increased with extract concentration, with the 100 mg/L treatment producing substantially longer recovery times than the 50 mg/L treatment in both species.
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