Effects of copper toxicity on growth, reproduction and metal accumulation in chosen ornamental fishes

The 96 h LC50 values of copper for Carassius auratus and Xiphophorus helleri were 0.30 and 0.36 ppm. Sublethal concentrations of copper affected specific growth rate and reproductive performance in both species. Metal accumulation in muscle and gonad tissues was linearly increased with increase in sublethal levels of copper and exposure period. Young ones accumulated same or more amount of metal found in gonad tissue of parent fish and it might be due to the direct transfer of copper from gonad to young ones during development. Metal accumulation caused significant (P < 0.05) reduction in mean diameter and weight of eggs in C. auratus and mean body length and weight of fry in X. helleri. Ovo-viviparous fish is more severely affected by copper toxicity than oviparous fish.