Haematology of Oreochromis niloticus: Comparison between fish maintained in a fish farm associated with pigs and in fee fishing in the Valley of Tijucas River, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract

This work evaluated the hematological characteristics of tilapia Oreochromis niloticus from pond of fee fishing and pond of fishculture associated with pigs, between August 2003 and July 2004. Ten animals were monthly captured with net in a property situated in Nova Trento, SC, Brazil, to analysis of the total number of erythrocytes, thrombocytes and leucocytes, differential counting of leucocytes, and to evaluate the hematocrit and glucose. Water quality was similar in both systems. The glucose showed the highest values (P < 0.05) in fish reared in association with pigs. The highest total number of erythrocytes was registered on April 2004, in the animals from pond of fee fishing, and on February 2004, in those from the system associated with pigs. It was not observed significant difference in the other variables between the two systems of cultivation.