Histopathological changes in Channa punctaus (Bloch.) induced to ammonium sulphate

Abstract

The present investigation undertaken was the snakehead fish, Channa punctatus exposed to sublethal concentrations (16.5 mg/L) of inorganic fertilizer, ammonium sulphate for 30 days showed histological alteration. The exposed fish showed very significant histopathological changes like vacuolar degenerative changes, deterioration of secondary lamellae and gill arch, desquamation in epithelium cells at the apex of the villi and necrosis etc. found in gill, liver, intestine and kidney. It has been analyzed that dysfunction of organs of exposed fish, C. punctatus was in response to ammonium sulphate toxicity effect. The above finding suggested that contamination of fertilizer, ammonium sulphate concentration of less than 16.5 mg/L in water may be more appropriate condition to culture in fish culture pond for optimum growth performance.