Haematological changes in African lungfish, Protopterus annectens after aerial exposure

Specimens of the west African lungfish, Protopterus annectens (mean weight 294.3 g mean length 38.1 cm), procured from Agulu lake at Agulu in Anambra state, Nigeria were removed from the ambient water and exposed to complete aerial life for a period of seven consecutive days after which some of their haematological changes were determined. There were significant polycythaemia, leucocytosis, thrombocythaemia and elevation of haemoglobin contents (p<0.05). The importance of these haematological adjustments which the fish makes whilst subjected to complete aerial habitat prior to aestivation are discussed.