Abstract

The study was carried out to assess the incidence of diseases and control measures adopted by farmers in fish hatcheries in Ijebu-Ode Region, Ogun State. Thirty-six fish hatcheries were randomly surveyed using a questionnaire to gather information on farm description, culture techniques/practices, frequency of disease occurrence; types of diseases encountered and control measure. The result revealed that a majority (55.56%) of the farms were basically for hatchery purposes while others were for hatchery and grow-out production and have been in operation between the past year and 14 years. Clarias gariepinus is the only species farmed in the hatcheries and brood stock are obtained from farms and the wild or self-raised by the farmers. A Majority (77.78%) of the farmers have experienced one form of disease outbreak, at least once since the establishment of the hatcheries. Diseases encountered include bacterial (32.14%), environmental (10.71%), fungal (3.57%) and 42.86% encountered both bacterial and fungal; however, 10.71% of the farmers were not sure of the type of disease encountered. Control measures adopted include administered drugs, herbs and chemicals used singly or in combination. The purposes of application include water treatment, brood stock disinfection, anti-stress and disease treatment.