This study aimed to evaluate the haematological and biochemical changes in Clarias gariepinus as biomarkers of environmental pollution in Tiga dam, Nigeria (wild aquatic environment). Water and fishes were sampled twice, a week apart, from the controlled and the wild aquatic environment. There were no significant (p>0.05) differences between the temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen contents of both aquatic environments. Similarly, there were no significant (p>0.05) changes in the haematological parameters of the reared and wild the C. gariepinus except in their white blood cell counts, which were significantly (p<0.05) higher in wild C. gariepinus. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase (serum enzymes) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the wild C. gariepinus. However, the concentrations of serum total triglyceride (serum metabolite) were significantly (p<0.05) lower in the wild C. gariepinus. The haematological and biochemical alterations in the wild C. gariepinus, which were strongly indicative of cellular damages, might have been a consequence of the toxic pollution of Tiga dam, Nigeria.
Catfish; Serum enzymes; Serum metabolites; Blood values; Aquatic environment
