Studies on Toxicity and Behavioural Responses under Cadmium Stress in Channa punctatus (Bloch.)

Abstract

Contamination of aquatic environment with heavy metals has become a matter of great concern because of their toxicity, persistence and bioaccumulation. The present study deals with the toxicity of Cadmium to fresh water fish, Channa punctatus. Static bioassay tests were carried out to evaluate LC₅₀ values of Cadmium (Cd) as CdCl₂ for fish, Channa punctatus as well as to observe the behavioural alterations imposed by Cadmium. The LC₅₀ values for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hrs were found at 630, 538, 452 and 360 ppm respectively. The major behavioural alterations observed during the experiment were erratic swimming, gulping of air at the surface, opercular movements, loss of equilibrium, restlessness, sluggishness and jumping in exposed animals. The observed data shows that Channa punctatus can be used as a good biomarker to detect pollution status of fresh water bodies.