Authors : M.M. Babatunde and A.A. Oladimeji
Abstract: Sub-lethal bioassays were conducted on the fingerlings of Oreochromis niloticus under a static system in the laboratory (22.7±0.77°C) for a period of 8 weeks using paraquat. The toxicology effects of paraquat (1, 1-dimethyl-4,4-bipyridinuim dichloride) on the respiratory process, feeding behavior and growth of the fingerling of O. niloticus were observed. Respiratory roles of fish exposed to 1.02 and 2.00 mg L-1 were significantly decreased compared to the control. The feeding of the fish in the high toxicant concentrations was low. The weight showed increase in the growth rate of the control fish and a significant difference in the cumulative growth rate of the exposed fish. The fish exposed to toxicant concentration of 2.00 mg L-1 showed an anomaly of a significant decrease in weight the 1st week of exposure, an increase in the 6th week and a decrease towards the end of the experimental period. Ecological reasons for reduction. In growth in exposed fish include reduced ability to obtain food and to compete for food, delayed maturation and reproduction. Damage done to the gills resulted in respiratory impairment of the fish.
M.M. Babatunde and A.A. Oladimeji, 2014. Effects of Paraquat on the Growth and Behaviour of Oreochromis niloticus. Environmental Research Journal, 8: 44-47.