The efficacy of clove powder as anaesthetic agent on C. gariepinus and Heterobranchus bidorsalis fingerlings was investigated in this study and the water quality parameters of the test solutions also determined. The time of induction and recovery for various stages and concentrations was recorded in minutes using a stop watch. The concentrations used for the anaesthesia bioassay were 60, 70, 80, 100, 120, and 140mg/l. The water quality parameters examined after 30mins did not differ (P<0.05) from those of control hence may not have contributed to the observed behaviour of the test fish. Fingerlings exposed to 60 and 70mg/l had partial anaesthesia and did not achieved stage 4(deep anaesthesia) after 30mins. Those exposed to concentration above 70mg/l were completely immobilized (deep anaesthesia) within 3-10mins depending on concentration. The mean time under each concentration increased significantly (P<0.05) from stages 1-4. The various stages of induction and recovery of C. gariepinus were higher than those of H. bidorsalis except induction stages 1 and 3 and recovery stage 3. Increasing concentration proportionally decrease the induction time but increase the time required for full recovery. An ideal anaesthetic must have among other qualities quick induction and slightly longer recovery time to allow for varied manipulation as desirable. In this study clove powder at 120 and 140 mg/l induced deep anaesthesia in less than 5mins with a recovery time of 25-27mins, making it an ideal anaesthestic for African clarrid fingerlings.