An investigation on the effect of paraquat on organosomatic indices and condition factor of Clarias gariepinus sub-adult was carried out. Thirty six C. gariepinus (weight, 362.64 ± 95.88g; length, 37.65 ± 2.85cm) sub adult were exposed in a static renewal, triplicate design to control (no added paraquat) or 552mg/l paraquat in intermittent (two days exposed and two days in clean water alternately) and continuous exposures for 14 days. The result showed a transient significant (ANOVA, p>0.05) increase in the continuous exposure compared to the intermittent exposure and control for Hepatosomatic index (HSI) on day 7. However, at the end of the experiment there were no significant treatment effects in the gills-somatic index (GSI), Hepatosomatic index (HSI) and renasomatic index (RSI). On day 7, there was no significant treatment effect in the condition factor (Fulton’s K) however, on day 14 the intermittent and continuous exposures showed significant decreases compared to the control, values (mean ± STD) were 0.60 ± 0.05, 0.51± 0.07, 0.49 ± 0.08. In conclusion, exposure of commercial paraquat to C. gariepinus did not affect the organosomatic index but resulted in poor condition factor especially during continuous exposure.

Keywords : Hepatosomatic Index (HSI), Renatosomatic Index (RSI), Gills-Somatic Index (GSI), Pesticides, Continuous Exposure.