Seasonal variations in hematological and serum biochemical profile of channa marulius are complementary to the changes in water quality parameters of river chenab in Pakistan

The river chenab is a rich source of biodiversity and 33 fish species has been identified and reported from chenab waters including c. marulius. the giant snakehead,c. marulius (hamilton),is a fast growing fish having high market value and consumer preference in pakistan. the aim of this study was to determine the seasonal variations in hematological and selected parameters of serum biochemical profile of c. marulius and to correlate them with the changes in water quality parameters of river chenab during the two consecutive sampling sessions. water and fish samples were collected from the same pit area of muhammad wala head works during december to april for the seasons 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively. a total of 51 c. marulius specimens (33 during first and 18 during second sampling season) were captured with the help of fishing nets. water quality parameters and complete blood count for c. marulius was determined by standard protocols. our results indicated significant variations in hematological parameters of c. marulius during both sampling seasons that were complementary to the changes in water quality parameters of river chenab indicating that environmental changes affects the blood chemistry of c. marulius. copyright 2015 zoological society of pakistan.