EFFECT OF CARBOFURAN PESTICIDE IN JUVENIL Oreochromis niloticus ON TOXICITY, ROUTINE METABOLISM AND HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS

Oreochromis niloticus juveniles (total length 12 +/- 0.5 mm) were exposed to different concentrations of carbofuran, using the static renewal method at different temperatures (15, 20 and 25 degrees C) at pH 7. The 24, 48, 72, 96 h LC50 values of carbofuran in Oreochromis niloticus juveniles were 3.00, 2.84, 2.71 and 2.45 mg L-1 at 15 degrees C; 3.00, 2.69, 2.33 and 2.20 mg L-1 at 20 degrees C; and 2.84, 2.44, 1.7 1 and 1.62 mg L-1 at 25 degrees C, respectively. Results show that a temperature increment from 15 to 25 degrees C increased the carbofuran susceptibility in fish by 21.80%, 9.55%, 31.92% and 30.87%, after 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of exposure, respectively. Furthermore, we found that exposure of fish to carbofuran caused an elevation in total hemoglobin and blood glucose concentration of 2 mg L-1. These results indicate that exposure to carbofuran, especially at lower temperatures is a significant factor to be considered in aquaculture management.