Subacute toxicity of Karate to Sarotherodon galilieus (Linne, 1758)

The study investigated subacute toxic effects of Lambda-cyhalothrin (Karate) on Sarotherodon galilieus in a continuous flow-through system which was conducted by Fisheries Department, F. U.T, Minna. Sarotherodon galilieus was exposed to the following concentration of Karate: 0.00 ug/l, 0.5 ug/l and 1 ug/l. Histopathological studies were carried out on the Karate-exposed experimental fish. Severe gill disruptions and mutilations was observed which lead to curving and calcification of lamellae, lipidosis in liver were observed, kidney cells were congested when compared with the control. The effects of this toxicant on the liver, gills, and kidney cells of this fish increase with an increased concentration. The physicochemical parameters were within the tolerable limit recommended for the normal physiological processes in fish, however, they were affected by the toxicity of Karate. Temperature was negatively correlated with toxicity of karate and affect the conductivity significantly. The main behavioral changes observed in the fish were agitated swimming, air gulping, erratic swimming, lateral bending of the body, loss of equilibrium, quiescence, and death.