Acute toxicity of an organophosphate insecticide sumithion to striped catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

Sumithion is widely used for crop safety and eradication of tiger bugs (Cicindela spp.) from larval rearing aquaculture ponds. To satisfy the high demand of fries and fingerlings of widely cultured species striped catfish, spawns are produced in large scale in the hatcheries through hormone induced breeding, and subsequently these spawns are reared in nursery ponds and marketed to fingerlings vendors for stocking in grow-out ponds. Considering the importance of healthy fries and fingerlings the present experiment was conducted to evaluate the toxic effects of sumithion on striped catfish fingerlings. Fish were exposed for 96 h to six concentrations of sumithion (0, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 mg/l) each with three replications. The 96 h LC50 value was calculated using probit analysis. After 96 h of exposure fishes were sacrificed to measure hemato-biochemical (Hemoglobin, Hb; Red blood cell, RBC; White blood cell, WBC and blood glucose) parameters. In addition, formation of micronucleus (MN) was examined in the blood erythrocytes. The 96 h LC50 value of sumithion for striped catfish was 5.886 mg/l. The values of RBCs and Hb decreased significantly in different concentrations of the toxicant compared to control, while the values of WBC and blood glucose levels showed opposite scenario. Consequently, the frequencies of formation of MN increased significantly in different concentrations of the toxicant compared to the control. The results of the current study denoted that sumithion exerts toxicity to striped catfish. It is expected that the findings of the present research will help in the development of awareness of the concerned people about the toxic effect of sumithion as well as other insecticides and pesticides in the environment.