The study compared the hematological profiles of cultured and wild Clarias gariepinus from selected fish farms and rivers in Southeast Nigeria. Wild fish were collected from Anambra, Imo, Otamiri and Cross Rivers while farmed fish were sampled from Awka, Umuahia, Owerri and Abakiliki farms. 15 C. gariepinus were collected monthly from each of the rivers and farms for 12 months (January – December 2022). The overall mean weight of wild fish and farmed fish examined were 339.14 ± 2.84 and 345.87 ± 3.06g respectively. There were no significant differences (p < 0.05) in packed cell volume between the wild and cultured fish. Haemoglobin, red blood cell count, mean cell hemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell and monocytes counts in the wild population were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that in the cultured type. Furthermore, mean cell volume, neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelet count in cultured individuals were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that in wild catfish. The introduction of regular checks of the blood profiles in wild and farmed fish is highly recommended, since blood collection for analytical objectives need not kill the fish and can be applied repeatedly to the same individuals.

Keywords: Cultured and wild fish, hematology, Clarias gariepinus, South-east Nigeria, RBC, WBC