Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

ACUTE TOXICITY OF MERCURIC CHLORIDE ON THE SURVIVAL AND BEHAVIOURAL RESPONSE OF INDIAN FRESH WATER STINGING CAT FISH HETEROPNEUSTES FOSSILIS (BLOCH, 1794) AT 48 AND 96 HOURS

Mohd Amjid Parray, Rajesh Dixit and Ajaz Ahmad Rather

Abstract

The present investigation deals with the acute toxicity (LC50 evaluation) of mercuric chloride to Indian stinging cat fish Heteropneustes fossilis for 48 and 96 hours, the percentage of morality was calculated by the Finney’s probit analysis method. The lc50 value of the prepared concentrations for 48 and 96 were found at 0.42 and 0.3 mg/l, respectively. During the course of experiment, the behavioural alterations were keenly observed like erratic movements, surfacing, increased mucous secretion, and change in body pigmentation, muscle fasciculation, loss of appetite, decreased opercular movements, ataxia, myotonia and uncoordinated movements. These altered behavioural changes were dose and time dependent. The present study also showed that the lc50 values gradually decreased with increase in exposure time and the mortality rate also increased with increase in toxicant concentration.