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Abstract

Fish scale morphology can serve as a reliable pollution bioindicator. The effect of pesticide on scales of freshwater fish Ctenopharyngodon idellus was studied using scanning electron microscopy at various exposure periods (15, 30 and 60 days) at different sublethal concentrations (1.44 g/l and 2.41 g/l) of organophosphate, chlorpyrifos. The fish exposed to the toxicant showed significant alterations such as damaged radii, focus, circuli and severely damaged lepidonts. The intensity of scale damage was found to be toxicant concentration and exposure period dependent and also prolonged exposure to the pesticide damage the fish scales severely.