Some Physico-Chemical Parameters of Plastic Tanks used for Fish Culture in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Physico-chemistry quality is one of the most important factors besides good feed in plastic culture systems for fish production which varies with location or management amongst other factors. Some physical and chemical parameters in some outdoor plastic tanks used for fish culture in Roone Fish Farm (outdoor farm) and Hallelujah Fish Farms (indoor) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria were studied from October 2018 to September 2019. Some physico- chemical parameters (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solid (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO) were measured in-situ while biological oxygen demand (BOD) and total organic carbon (TOC) were analyzed in the laboratory following standard methods. The data obtained were subjected to Tukey’s comparison test. The observed results were: temperature (27.22±1.50 ℃), pH (6.79±0.83), TDS (14±58.10 mg/L), EC (25.25±15.20 µs/cm) and TOC (0.17±0.18 mg/L) (P>0.05). The recorded values for the measured parameters were within the acceptable limits for fish culture except for pH and DO that were below the acceptable limits. The study therefore recommends outdoor plastic tanks for fish production.