Lethal effects of the detergent, Elephant Blue® on the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Abstract

Lethal Effects of detergent (Elephant Blue® Detergent) on Oreochromis niloticus was investigated using the continuous flow toxicant auto-delivery system. The 96h LC50 was determined as 9.77 mg.L-1. Behavioural pattern before death, peculiar ventilation rates and pectoral fin beats as well as visual examination of dead fish indicate lethal effects of detergent on the fish. Water quality examination showed increase in dissolved oxygen content, from 6.50 mg.L-1 in the control tank to 8.30 mg.L-1 in the tank containing 120 mg.L-1 detergent. There was also a drastic shift of pH from slight acidity of 6.30 to the alkaline death point of 10.75.


Key words: Detergent powder, Oreochromis niloticus, toxicology


Journal of Aquatic Sciences Vol.17(2) 2002: 95-98