Some heavy metal pollutants in fish farms and effect of garlic on their bioaccumulation in Oreochromas niloticus

Abstract EN

The present study was carried out to monitor and determine levels of some heavy metals {Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn)} in some tilapia raising fish farms and to investigate the effect of experimentally added garlic (Allium sativum) on growth performance of Nile tilapia (Orechromas niloticus) subjected to the highest levels of these metals found in the survey (Cd 0.053 mg / L, Pb 0.092 mg / L, Cu 0.730 mg / L, and Zn 10.45 mg / L ).

Fish were divided into three groups; Group one served as non-treated control while the second group served as treated groups exposed to heavy metals polluted water.

The third group served as treated group with heavy metals plus garlic at a concentration of 250 gm / Ton.

Results revealed that experimental exposure of fish to heavy metals led to drastic effect on their performance as there was a significant reduction in growth parameters (body weight, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio) as compared to non-treated controls.

Addition of garlic powder supplementation helped to eliminate heavy metal from the fish body, which in turn improved the growth and some immune parameters as compared to non-supplemented treated group.