Abstract

Saprolenia is a major aquatic fungus affecting the smooth successful operation of fish hatcheries because it causes mortality during incubation. A number of cheap synthetic antifungal products have been prohibited because of human health risks associated with them. A study was conducted to investigate the antifungal potential of Euphorbia kamerunica (Spurge) using latex from fresh extract. Fertilized catfish (Clarias gariepinus ) eggs were incubated in three different treatment concentrations of 100ml, 50ml and 25ml extract with a control.This study on the effectiveness of Euphorbia kamerunica (Spurge), a perennial woody shrubs whose caustic milky sap (Latex) is readily soluble in water was extracted as anti fungi agent on the growth of Saprolegnia species on incubated eggs of Clarias gariepinus species.The study revealed that was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the number of eggs infected at different concentration of 100ml (38 ± 10), 50ml (109 ± 8), 25ml (140 ± 14) and 0ml (197 ± 2.186) and the number of eggs hatched 100ml (648 ± 45.863), 50ml (942 ± 21.032), 25ml (1088 ± 52), and 0ml (1950 ± 63). Some of the physico-chemical parameters of the water monitored are pH, Electrical conductivity, Total dissolved solids and Temperature which were within the tolerable range/limit of the fish species. From the results, it was inferred that 25ml concentration of the spurge extract could be used to control the growth of the fungi Saprolegnia species in fish hatchery operations as a result of high hatchability rate (1088 ± 52.699) and reduced level of infection.