Toxic Effects of Copper on Bioenergetics and Growth Rates in Fingerlings and Adult Age of the Fish, Mystus vittatus (Bloch, 1794)

摘要

The present study was performed to determine the toxic effect of copper (Cu) on various parameters of bioenergetics in different size of the fish, Mystus vittatus. The fingerlings (1.5`0.5 g) and adult (8`1 g) were subjected to their respective higher (0.75 and 1.91 mg L-1) and lower (0.47 and 1.20 mg L-1) sublethal concentration of Cu for a period of 60 days. The initial weight and energy content of both size group of test fish were estimated prior to the start of the experiment at each sampling period. Food consumption was monitored on a daily basis during the exposure period, while the final fish weight and energy content of both size groups of fish exposed to Cu were estimated at the end of exposure periods. The rate of feeding and absorption, the efficiency of absorption, the conversion and metabolic rates and growth rate of both the size groups under their respective higher and lower sublethal Cu concentration, led to decreasing trend with increasing periods of exposure. Of the two size groups, fingerlings seemed to be more sensitive to Cu poisoning than by the mature fish. The results obtained suggest that the inefficient feeding behaviour associated with impairment in absorption, conversion and metabolism. Ultimately it resulted in a severe suppression of the growth potential of M. vittatus to Cu.