STUDIES ON TOXICOLOGICAL ENDPOINTS OF FENOXAPROP-P-ETHYL ON BEHAVIORAL CHANGES IN FRESHWATER EXOTIC CARP CYPRINUS CARPIO (LINNAEUS)

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to determine the acute toxicity of the herbicide Fenoxaprop-P-ethyl (FPE) and the
resulting behavioral alterations in the exotic freshwater carp Cyprinus carpio. The experimental fish were divided into
groups of 10 (n=10) and exposed to different concentrations of the test pesticide for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. The 96-
hour LC50 was found to be 300 μg/l. Sub-lethal concentration was fixed based on LC50value is 37.5 μg/l (1/8th of LC50)
of the herbicide FPE for a period of 45 days. Regular observation was made throughout the exposure period to determine
the long-term behavioral changes in the test fish. The fish displayed erratic swimming behavior that increased over the
days of exposure. Behavioral anomalies such as whirling cork movement, altered opercular movement, altered fin
movement and physiological changes such as dyspigmentation and altered mucus secretion were observed.