Abstract
M.Sc.
Sperm, eggs, free embryos and larvae of the sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus, were used in a series of experiments conducted with zinc and copper salts in a flow-through exposure system. Metal concentrations ranged between 0 to 9mg/1 water. The aim of the study was to determine which of these early life stages was the most sensitive towards these metals and to determine whether the early life stages of the sharptooth catfish could be used for rapid bioassesment studies. Parameters investigated were sperm quality, egg hatchibility, free embryo and larval survival and growth.
Within all the parameters tested sperm quality proved to be the least sensitive, with no significant changes noted at the metal concentrations used. There are notable reductions on hatching success embryonic and larval survival and growth as metal concentrations increased. Results revealed that the most sensitive was the free embryo stage directly after, and up to 48 hours after hatching. 48 hour old free embryo displayed 48th L.C.50 values as low as 1.98mg/l for zinc and 0. 0.13mg/l for copper, which indicated that this stage was very sensitive and susceptible to environmental stressors.
Since C. gariepinus is an indigeniuos species that is widespread throughout the African continent and considering the sensitivity of the early life stages it is a succesfull candidade for use in rapid bioassessment tests throughout the continent.