Abstract

The efficacy of Nicotiana tobaccum as anaesthetic agents on Clarias gariepinus was investigated in this study. There were dissimilarity (P<0.05) in the induction and recovery stages at varying concentrations of ethanol extract of Nicotiana tobaccum were identified for Clarias gariepinus. Induction time (in minutes) decreased significantly (T1)109, (T2) 101, (T3) 87, (T4) 79 and (T5) 63, with increasing concentrations of ethanol extract of Nicotiana tobaccum. On the other hand, there were upsurge in the recovery times with a rise concentrations of anaesthetic agent (P<0.05).

Fish in treatments T3, T4 and T5 started showing signs of uncomfortability on exposure to extracts of Nicotiana tobaccum at higher concentrations, like gasping for air at the air-water inter phase, trying to jump out of the tank, restlessness and eventually settling at the bottom of the tank lifeless (indicating that they have reached anaesthesia).

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