DAY TIME VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE, PH, DISSOLVED OXYGEN AND AMMONIA IN POND LARVAE REARING OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS FED WITH FOUR TREATMENT DIETS FOR 21 DAYS

This present study investigated the diurnal (daytime) variations in key physico-chemical parameters, Temperature, pH, Dissolved oxygen (DO), and Ammonia for 21-day pond rearing of Clarias gariepinus (African catfish) larvae. These parameters play critical roles in larval survival, growth, and overall health. The study was conducted under semi-controlled pond conditions, with daily monitoring of each parameter at morning and evening. Physicochemical parameters of the water in the test tanks did not vary significantly (P>0.05) during the larval feeding trials {Temp (22.0 -27.0oC), Dissolved oxygen (6.90 -11.80mg/L), pH (6.50 -9.00), and Ammonia (0.01 -0.99mg/L)} peaking in the afternoon due to increased solar radiation and photosynthetic activity. Conversely, pH values showed moderate increases during the day, correlating with CO₂ uptake by aquatic plants and algae. Ammonia levels exhibited slight accumulations over time, especially during periods of low DO, potentially due to incomplete nitrification and waste build-up. These fluctuations highlight the importance of maintaining stable and optimal water conditions, as even short-term deviations can impact larval development, increase stress, and elevate mortality rates. The findings underscore the necessity of real-time water quality monitoring and management strategies to ensure sustainable and optimization production of C. gariepinus larvae.