EFFECT OF CRUDE OIL POLLUTION ON TILAPIA LIVE PERFORMANCE

This study was conducted using Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.). Weekly feed intake, mortality and haematological parameters were taken and recorded. All data generated were analysed using SPSS. Results indicated significant (P<0.05) differences in feed intake, mortality and haematology. The control treatment had more deleterious effect on the fish as almost all the fish (adult, juveniles and fingerlings) died within the study period. The adult fish in all the treatments were mostly affected by crude oil than the juveniles and the fingerlings. This study indicates that non-oil induced pollution is more detrimental to tilapia survival over a short pollution period than oil pollution over time. It also indicates that oil pollution is beneficial to tilapia at certain pollution levels.