The Influence of a Teleost Clarias batrachus (L.) on the Behaviour of Different Species of Nitrogen in Water

Different experimental conditions (fed large, fed small, starved large, starved small groups, batch offered ration during experiment and low fish loading for a constant volume of water) of the carnivorous fish Clarias batrachus resulted in marked changes in the concentration of different N species (ammonium-N, nitrate-N, nitrate-N, organic-N as well as the sum of all forms of N) in aquaria water. Organic forms of nitrogen were the most important species of nitrogen excreted by the test fish. The maintenance nitrogen excretion rate was distinctly higher in larger fishes than in smaller ones. Different species of N were found to differ significantly depending upon the fed or starved conditions as well as small or large groups. A reduced level of oxygen in experimental aquaria inhibited the synthesis of nitrate which was maximum in control aquaria with considerably higher values of oxygen.