Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology

Detergents are common aquatic pollutants that may alter water quality and affect the physiology of aquatic organisms. Present study evaluated the effects of Ghari detergent powder on haematological parameters of two different species of Clarias fish under laboratory conditions. Healthy specimens of Clarias batrachus (72 g; 19 cm) and Clarias gariepinus (260 g; 29 cm) were used as experimental animals. After acclimatization for seven days, fish were randomly divided into control and detergent-exposed groups. Control groups were maintained in normal tap water, while treated groups were exposed to Ghari detergent at 20 mg/L for 15 and 30 days. After the exposure period, blood was collected from the caudal vein and analyzed for haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, and white blood cell count using standard haematological methods. Detergent exposure altered the haematological profile of both species. In case of RBC and haemoglobin level, a duration- dependent decreasing trend was observed in both the fish. However, C. batrachus showed relatively greater extent of decrease in haemoglobin (50 %) and C. gariepinus showed greater extent of decrease in RBC count (69.42 %) following 30 days of exposure. Both the fish showed a slight increase in the level of WBCs after 15 days of the exposure, indicating stimulation of stress induced immune activity. The level of WBCs was further decreased by 44.71 % and 5.25 % in Desi and Thai Magur, respectively, following 30 days of exposure. The findings indicate that detergent exposure can influence haematological parameters in both fish species under the tested conditions. Among the species under study, C. gariepinus showed better resistance and adaptability against detergent induced alterations.