Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development

Abstract

Effects of the Type of Fertilizer on the Taxonomic Composition and Zooplankton Distribution in Ponds of Batie in Western Cameroon

Kenfack Donhachi Aimérance*, Efole Ewoukem Thomas, Nana Towa Algrient, Zebaze Toguet Serge Hubert and Tchoumboue J

One of the major constraints in fish farming is the unavailability of good quality of fish fry which is highly dependent
on zooplankton. For this purpose, a study on the taxonomic composition and distribution of zooplankton in ponds in
the high plains of Western Cameroon was carried out from January 2016 to December 2017. A total of 12 samples were
monthly collected in order to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of water and the diversity of zooplankton.
Results on water quality showed that the significantly (p<0.05) higher values of temperature (21.64 ± 0.81°C) and
dissolved oxygen (4.85 ± 1.54 mg/L) were observed with Wheat bran. For the zooplanktonic fauna, 39 species of which
35 are identified in ponds fertilized with pig manure and 30 in fish ponds fed with Wheat bran. From these species,
28 rotifers, 06 Cladocerans and 01 Copepods were identified in ponds fertilized with pig manure while 23 rotifers,
06 cladocerans and 01 copepod in fishponds fed with Wheat bran. Species such as Notholca sp, Platyias sp, Alona
rectangulata and Macrorhix laticornis were only represented in ponds fed Wheat bran (that is, a percentage of 10.26% of
the specific total richness). Meanwhile, 8 species Brachionus urcealaris, Keratella cochlearis, Keratella cochlearis var type,
Trichocerca similis, Polyarthra vulgaris, Filinia opoliensis, Ceriodaphnia cornuta and Diaphanosoma volzi were exclusively
represented in areas fertilized with pig manure (that is, a percentage of 23.08%). Generally, the season did not affect the
zoo planktonic distribution.