Growth and nutrient content of juvenile Clarias gariepinus reared in an environment contaminated with the insecticides Emamectin benzoate and Acetamiprid

This study aims to evaluate, under controlled conditions, the effects on growth and biochemical composition of an exposure of Clarias gariepinus to the insecticides Emamectin benzoate and Acetamiprid. Juveniles of C. gariepinus (2.38 ± 0.1 g) were subjected to three sub-lethal concentrations of a commercial product containing the two insecticides (0; 0.25 and 0.50 µl/l) for 28 days. Data collected and assays in the laboratory performed on whole fish, were used to determine the survival rate, growth performance, feed efficiency and nutritional parameters. Results of the study showed that while survival rates were similar for all treatments, the growth of exposed fishes was relatively lower than that of the control. This low growth in contaminated fish is related to the decrease in food intake and feed efficiency. This is due to preferential use of body proteins and some carbohydrates to produce energy in order to cope with chemical stress and energy cost of abnormal behaviors (hyperactivity, rapid swimming, loss of balance, etc.) induced by the insecticides.

Keywords: Exposure, insecticide, Clarias gariepinus, growth, biochemical composition