Effects of malachite green (Triarylmethane dye) and Pyceze (Bronopol) on the hematological parameters of a freshwater catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

Abstract

Malachite green is an extensively used biocide in the aquaculture industry world-wide. It has been widely used due to lack of a proper alternative. Pyceze, however, is a pharmaceutical alternative to malachite green, with bronopol as its active ingredient. The catfish Heteropneustes fossilis were exposed for four days to 1/5 th of LC50 values of each of malachite green (0.24mg/l) and Pyceze (0.42mg/l). Different hematological parameters were evaluated. After four days total red blood corpuscles (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscles hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscles hemoglobin (MCH) values exhibited significant decrease whereas total white blood corpuscles (WBC), clotting time (CT) and mean corpuscles volume (MCV) values were increased in fish of both groups when compared with controls. The present study clearly indicates the toxic effects of these chemicals on hematological parameters of fish. However, exposure to malachite green was found to be more toxic than to Pyceze.