Length-weight relationship of eleven species of marine catfishes from the northern Arabian Sea coast of Pakistan

This study records length-weight relationships （LWRs） for eleven commercially important marine catfish species of the family Ariidae （sea catfishes） and Plotosidae （eel catfishes） from the northern Arabian Sea coast of Pakistan. The specimens were sampled from December 2014 to November 2015, using bottom trawls with various mesh sizes by commercial vessels. The species were Nemapteryx caelatus, Sciades sona, Arius gagora, Batrachocephalus mino, Neturna thalassina, N. bilineata, Osteogeneiosus militaris, Plicofollis dussumieri, P. tenuispinis, Plotosus limbatus, and P. lineatus. Of the eleven species, two species A. gagora and N. bilineata were recorded for the first time and LWRs for four species A. gagora, N. bilineata, S. sona, and B. mino still have no data in the FishBase database. In addition, new maximum length for each of the three species N. bilineata, O. militaris andB. mino was also found.

Bioacoustic variation of swimbladder disturbance sounds in Neotropical doradoid catfishes （Siluriformes： Doradidae, Auchenipteridae）： Potential morphological correlates

Swimbladder disturbance sounds of doradoid catfishes （Doradidae and Aucheniptefidae） demonstrated striking waveform and spectrographic variation. We surveyed sounds of 25 doradoid species in 20 genera comparing these to sounds of four vocal outgroup catfish families. Sounds were either continuous waveforms （lacking interpulses） or pulsed （groups of pulses repeated at fixed temporal intervals）. This is the first evidence for swimbladder calls with fixed interpulse patterns in catfishes. Vocal mechanism components that were similar between doradids and auchenipterids included： swimbladder shape, swimbladder dimensions and sonic muscle-somatic index. Morphological traits that showed variation among taxa and were evaluated for po- tential correlates of call diversity are： 1） diverticula （marginal outpocketings of the swimbladder with no connection to inner ear） and 2） elastic spring apparatus Mtillerian rami （ESA-Mr）. Within the doradid subfamilies and within the Auchenipteridae most species differed significantly in dominant frequency with frequency ranges overlapping to some extent for most. Doradid swim- bladder diverticula did not explain dominant frequency variation within the doradoid superfamily. Some doradids with conical ESA-Mr had the highest dominant frequency sounds. Auchenipterids included both relatively lower and higher dominant fre- quency sound producers but lacked diverticula and had discoidal ESA-Mr. Comparing a phylogeny of doradoid genera with out- group taxa, we infer that complex diverticula and conical ESA-Mr are derived characters within the Doradidae. Species repre- senting outgroup families produced either continuous lower dominant frequency sounds （aspredinids, mochokids and pseudopimelodids） or pulsed higher dominant frequency sounds （pimelodids） [Current Zoology 58 （1）： 171-188, 2012].

Diversification of Sisorid catfishes(Teleostei: Siluriformes)in relation to the orogeny of the Himalayan Plateau

Abstract Sisorid catfishes are primarily limited in distribution to rivers of the Himalayan region and Tibetan Plateau. These species have external morphologies that are adapted for extremely fast-flowing riverine systems. Given the diversity of the group and the above qualities of these catfishes, this lineage serves as an ideal group for inferring the geological history of this region based on their phylogenetic relationships reflecting evolu- tionary history. We sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome and four nuclear genes of representative sisorids distributed across river systems in China. Phylogenetic analyses strongly support the monophyly of the Sisoridae and the glyptosternoids. An analysis of the reconstructed ancestral states derived from inferred genealogical relationships suggests that the evolution of this lineage was accompanied by convergent evolution in morphological traits that were presumably in response to environmental pressure involving the rapid flowing river system that were generated during the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau （UTP）. Molecular dating indicates that the Chinese sisorids and the glyptosternoids originated at the later Miocene （~ 10.9-9.8 Mya）, and with further biogeographic analyses indicates that the species of Sisoridae likely originated from a widely distributed ancestor. Moreover, the divergence of the Sisoridae in China can be divided into two phases consis- tent with the UTP. All of these results indicate that the diversification and dispersal events in this lineage occurred as a result of drainage systems formed during and after the UTP in the late Miocene and Quaternary periods.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the glass catfish(Kryptopterus vitreolus)reveals molecular clues to its transparent phenotype

Glass catfish(Kryptopterus vitreolus)are notable in the aquarium trade for their highly transparent body pattern.This transparency is due to the loss of most reflective iridophores and light-absorbing melanophores in the main body,although certain black and silver pigments remain in the face and head.To date,however,the molecular mechanisms underlying this transparent phenotype remain largely unknown.To explore the genetic basis of this transparency,we constructed a chromosome-level haplotypic genome assembly for the glass catfish,encompassing 32 chromosomes and 23344 protein-coding genes,using PacBio and Hi-C sequencing technologies and standard assembly and annotation pipelines.Analysis revealed a premature stop codon in the putative albinism-related tyrp1b gene,encoding tyrosinase-related protein 1,rendering it a nonfunctional pseudogene.Notably,a synteny comparison with over 30 other fish species identified the loss of the endothelin-3(edn3b)gene in the glass catfish genome.To investigate the role of edn3b,we generated edn3b^(−/−)mutant zebrafish,which exhibited a remarkable reduction in black pigments in body surface stripes compared to wild-type zebrafish.These findings indicate that edn3b loss contributes to the transparent phenotype of the glass catfish.Our high-quality chromosome-scale genome assembly and identification of key genes provide important molecular insights into the transparent phenotype of glass catfish.These findings not only enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying transparency in glass catfish,but also offer a valuable genetic resource for further research on pigmentation in various animal species.

斑点叉尾源维氏气单胞菌对四环素类抗生素的耐药性及耐药基因的检测

维氏气单胞菌（Aeromonas veronii）为气单胞菌属（Aeromonas）的一种,亦被称为维罗纳气单胞菌、凡隆气单胞菌和维隆气单胞菌,存在于水体和淤泥等环境中[1],能够感染斑点叉尾（Ictalurus punctatus）[2,3]、锦鲤（Cyprinus carpio L.）[4]、西伯利亚鲟（Acipenser baerii）[5]、鲱形白鲑（Coregonus clupeaformis）[6]、华鲮（Sinilabeo rendahl）[7]、框镜鲤（Cyprinus carpio）[8]等多种鱼类。其中,斑点叉尾感染维氏气单胞菌近几年才被发现,其发病率可达30%以上,病鱼死亡率在50%以上,给养殖户造成了巨大的经济损失,也严重制约了斑点叉尾养殖业的健康发展[2,9]。

Distribution and Length-weight Relationships of Glyptosternoid Fishes in the Drung River Basin, Yunnan

Glyptosternoid fishes are a group of sisorid catfishes living in torrents of rivers mainly originating from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Based on our survey in the Drung River Basin, seven collecting sites were investigated and 271 glyptosternoid fishes caught belong to three species （Pareuchiloglanis kamengensis, Exostoma labiatum and Oreoglanis mocropterus）. Features of the distribution of the three catfishes were assessed. More individuals of E. labiatum were caught in the lower reaches of the Drung River with fast water velocity and it might be more adapted to a torrent habitat. The relationships between standard length （L） and weight （W） for P. kamengensis, E. labiatum and O. macropterus were also studied, and the parameter b of the L-W relationship （W = aL^b） ranged between 2. 8201 and 3. 0131. From the present study, all the three catfish species grow allometrically and the growth type of E. labiatum is the closest to a symmetrical one.

pH变化对鲶鱼肌浆蛋白理化和功能特性的影响

提取鲶鱼肉漂洗液中的肌浆蛋白,用酸或碱以5种方式(①pH=3.0→7.0;②pH=5.0→7.0;③pH=7.1→7.0;④pH=9.0→7.0;⑤pH=11.0→7.0)调节其pH后,研究经过这种pH变化后的肌浆蛋白的蛋白溶解度、表面疏水性、总巯基含量、SDS-PAGE、流变性和热变性等指标的变化,以期为漂洗液中肌浆蛋白的综合利用奠定理论基础。研究结果表明:随着pH向酸性或者碱性的方向逐渐变化,肌浆蛋白溶解度、表面疏水性和总巯基含量不断下降,蛋白氧化加剧,流变学特性(黏度值)和热变性温度不断增加。

Availability Test of the Free Phospholipids in the Plasma of Three Species of Freshwater Fish

[Objective] The research aimed to determine the existence of free phospholipids in the plasma of three species of freshwater fish and lay the foundation for discussing the physiological mechanism of coagulation phenomena in three species of freshwater fish.[Method] The activity of heated phospholipids was detected by the availability test of heated rabbit cephalin.Small amount of the platelet-poor plasma of the rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus,the cell-free plasma of the carp Cyprinus carpio,the crucian Carassi...

斑点叉尾病毒(CCV)结构蛋白的鉴定

采用蔗糖密度梯度离心法分离纯化斑点叉尾病毒(Channel catfish virus,CCV),利用电喷雾-四级杆-飞行时间质谱(ESI-Q-TOF MS/MS)对得到的样品进行分析。结果共鉴定了13种结构蛋白,包含1种未报道过的结构蛋白ORF22。实验结果为进一步研究CCV结构蛋白的功能及蛋白质组学提供了参考。

Toxicological Impact of Benzenehexachloride on the Behaviour and Neuropathology of Heteropneustes fossilis

Toxicological Impact of Benzenehexachloride on the Behaviour and Neuropathology of Heteropneustes fossilis.Organochlorine pesticides are widely used in the vast agricultural fields of Assam, India. Runoffs from treated fields contaminates nearby bodies of water with organochlorine componds, which are neurotoxic to the ichthyofouna. The present work was designed to study the effect of bezenehexachloride on the behaviour and histopathology of Heteropneustes fossilis, as an experimental model.The experimental fish were exposed to different concentraions of the pesticide for 72 hoare. After exposure, the fish exhibited various behavioural changes. Histopathological exndnation of brain tis-sue revealed cytopathic and gross histopaholopcal alteratios, including necrosis and infrationalchanges. These results are consistent with the finding that organochlorides cause neurotoxic effects.

Study on Artificial Propagation and Embryonic Development of Poyang Lake Catfish

Poyang Lake catfish （Silurus asotus Linnaeus） is native to Poyang Lake Basin. Artificial propagation of Poyang Lake catfish was carried out by using artificial insemination. Under water temperature of 18-26 ℃, embryonic development of Poyang Lake catfish in impounded water was observed and recorded in detail. Embryonic development of Poyang Lake catfish encountered seven stages, and it last- ed for 47.08 h from the fertilized egg stage to the stripping stage. The hatching time of Silurus meridionalis Chen was shortest, followed by that of Poyang Lake catfish, and the hatching time of Pelteobagrus vachelli was longest.

Effects of Rice-Fish Co-culture on Oxygen Consumption in Intensive Aquaculture Pond

Rice-fish co-culture has gained increasing attention to remediate the negative environmental impacts induced by intensive aquaculture. However, the effect of rice-fish co-culture on oxygen depletion has rarely been investigated. We constructed a rice-fish co-culture system in yellow catfish(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) and freshwater shrimp(Macrobrachium nipponense) ponds using a new high-stalk rice variety, and conducted a field experiment to investigate the effect of rice-fish co-culture on water parameters and oxygen consumption. The results showed that rice-fish co-culture reduced the nutrients(total nitrogen, ammonia-N, total phosphorous and potassium) and the dissolved oxygen content in fish and shrimp ponds. However, they showed similar seasonal change of dissolved oxygen in the water of fish and shrimp ponds. Rice-fish co-culture reduced the total amount of oxygen consumption and optimized the oxygen consumption structure in pond. The respiration rates in water and sediment were significantly reduced by 66.1% and 31.7% in the catfish pond, and 64.4% and 38.7% in the shrimp pond, respectively, by additional rice cultivation. Rice-fish co-culture decreased the proportions of respiration in sediment and water, and increased the proportion of fish respiration. These results suggest that rice-fish co-culture is an efficient way to reduce hypoxia in intensive culture pond.

Dietary isoleucine improved flesh quality,muscle antioxidant capacity,and muscle growth associated with AKT/TOR/S6K1 and AKT/FOXO3a signaling in hybrid bagrid catfish(Pelteobagrus vachelli♀×Leiocassis longirostris♂)

Background:Muscle is the complex and heterogeneous tissue,which comprises the primary edible part of the trunk of fish and mammals.Previous studies have shown that dietary isoleucine(Ile)exerts beneficial effects on growth in aquatic animals.However,there were limited studies regarding the benefits of Ile on fish muscle and their effects on flesh quality and muscle growth.Thus,this study was conducted to explore whether dietary Ile had affected flesh quality and muscle growth in hybrid bagrid catfish(Pelteobagrus vachelli♀×Leiocassis longirostris♂).Methods:A total of 630 hybrid fish,with an initial average body weight of 33.11±0.09 g,were randomly allotted into seven experimental groups with three replicates each,and respectively fed seven diets with 5.0,7.5,10.0,12.5,15.0,17.5,and 20.0 g Ile/kg diets for 8 weeks.Results:In the present study,we demonstrated that Ile significantly:(1)increased muscle protein and lipid contents and the frequency distribution of myofibers with≤20μm and≥50μm of diameter;(2)improved pH value,shear force,cathepsin B and L activities,hydroxyproline content,resilience,cohesiveness,and decreased cooking loss,lactate content,hardness,springiness,gumminess,and chewiness;(3)decreased reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),and protein carbonyl(PC)contents,GCLC and Keap1 mRNA levels,and up-regulated CuZnSOD,CAT,GPX1a,GST,and Nrf2 mRNA levels;(4)up-regulated the insulin-like growth factor 1,2(IGF-1,IGF-2),insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor(IGF-1R),proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),Myf5,Myod,Myog,Mrf4,and MyHC mRNA levels,and decreased MSTN mRNAlevel;(5)increased muscle protein deposition by activating AKT-TOR-S6K1 and AKT-FOXO3a signaling pathways.Conclusion:These results revealed that dietary Ile improved flesh quality,which might be due to increasing nutritional content,physicochemical,texture parameters,and antioxidant ability;promoting muscle growth by affecting myocytes hyperplasia and hypertrophy,and muscle protein deposition associated with protein synthesis and degradation signaling pathways.Finally,the quadratic regression analysis of chewiness,ROS,and protein contents against dietary Ile levels suggested that the optimal dietary Ile levels for hybrid bagrid catfish was estimated to be 14.19,12.36,and 12.78 g/kg diet,corresponding to 36.59,31.87,and 32.96 g/kg dietary protein,respectively.

Immunocytochemical Identification and Localization of Diffuse Neuroendocrine System (DNES) Cells in Gastrointestinal Tract of Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

To detect distribution and relative frequency of diffuse neuroendocrine system （DNES） cells in the gastrointestinal tract of channel catfish （lctalurus punctatus）, the intestinal tract of channel catfish was divided into seven portions from proximal to distal： the enlarged area after oesophagus, cardia, fundus, pylorus, and anterior, middle, and posterior intestine. Immunohistochemical method using the strept avidin-biotin-complex （SABC） was employed. All antisera between seven portions of the channel catfish were compared statistically using statistical package for the social science （SPSS）. Five types of DNES ceils were determined： neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive （NPY-IR） cells were demonstrated in both anterior and middle intestine; serotonin （5-HT） immunoreactive cells were detected throughout the whole gastrointestinal tract; vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP） positive cells were at the highest frequency in pylorus; glucagon-immunoreactive （GLU-IR） cells were moderate in number in the fundus and anterior, middle intestine, and no immunoreactivity was determined in the other portions; somatostatin （SOM） positive cells were more abundant in the anterior and middle intestine. The regional distribution and relative frequency of immunoreactive cells in the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, are essentially similar to those of other fish. However, some characteristics are observed in this species, which further proved that the diversity of the physiological function of DNES cells was based on their morphology.

Endosulfan-mediated Biochemical Changes in the Freshwater Fish Clarias batrachus

Objective Endosulfan is an extremely toxic organochlorine pesticide to aquatic organisms which might be hampering fish health through impairment of metabolism sometimes leading to death. So an experimental protocol was designed to look at endosulfan effects on a number of selected biochemical endpoints as well as to develop a mechanistic understanding of biochemical effects of endosulfan in freshwater fish. Methods The adult freshwater catfish Clarias batrachus were collected and acclimatized to laboratory condition for two weeks prior to experimentation. The toxicity bioassay test of commercial grade endosulfan (35% EC) was conducted for 21 days to determine its initial lethal concentration. The fish were exposed to sublethal concentration of endosulfan (0.06 mg/L) for 21 days. Pesticide - withdrawal experiments were also performed to study recovery. Protein synthesis inhibitors were injected to know the possible mechanism of recovery. The specimens of C. batrachus were sacrificed and brain, liver and caudal white skeletal muscle were removed. Tissues were homogenized and fractions were obtained by differential centrifugation. The activities of citrate synthase (CS), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6-PDH) and lactate dehydrogease (LDH) were assayed spectrophotometrically. Similarly, DNA, RNA and protein content were measured as per standard procedure. Results The exposure of sublethal concentration of endosulfan decreased the activity of citrate synthase (CS) and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6-PDH) in the brain, liver and skeletal muscle of the freshwater catfish, C. batrachus. The brain lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was also reduced in response to endosulfan toxicity. The maximum reduction in activities of these enzyme was 34%-43%. Withdrawal of endosulfan restored the enzyme activity to control level in all the three tissues. The recovery in enzyme activity appears to be due to dissociation of endosulfan or its metabolite(s) from the enzyme molecules and/or fresh synthesis of enzymes. The treatment of actinomycin D or cycloheximide partially inhibited the withdrawal-dependent increase in enzyme activity. This substantiates de novo synthesis of enzyme during recovery period. Since the reduction in enzyme activity was more pronounced in response to actinomycin D, endosulfan might be inhibiting the transcription process. But endosulfan did not produce any significant effect on DNA content and RNA/DNA. However, the RNA and protein contents of brain, liver and skeletal muscle decreased significantly in tissues. The maximum decrease in RNA and protein was approximately 30%-37%. Withdrawal of endosulfan from the medium for 21 days restored the RNA, and protein contents nearly to their control levels. The treatment of actinomycin D or cycloheximide partially inhibited the withdrawal- dependent increase in these macromolecular contents. This effect was more pronounced in case of actinomycin D which again supports the possibility of endosulfan-induced inhibition at transcription level. Conclusion The present study suggests endosulfan-induced impairment of metabolism in fish, which appeared to be due to inhibition of transcription at some unknown points.

Malate and Lactate Dehydrogenases of a Freshwater Catfish: Impact of Endosulfan

A sublethal concentration of technical grade endosulfan (END) inhibited 35 to 55% of the activities of cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase (cMDH), mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (mMDH), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the liver and the skeletal muscle of a freshwater catfish, Clarias halrachus, after 7 days of exposure. The activity remained in the inhibited state up to 28 days. The withdrawal of END from the medium after 1 week of exposure gradually restored the activities to control levels within 21 days in the skeletal muscle and 28 days in the liver. The administration of actinomycin D or cycloheximide between the 14th and the 21st day of the withdrawal of END almost completely inhibited the withdrawal-dependent recovery in the activities of all the three enzymes. This indicates de novo synthesis of the enzymes during the recovery period. A conjoint treatment of END and triiodothyronine (T_3) raised the activities of cMDH, mMDH, and LDH in the liver and the skeletal muscle up to the control levels. This shows that the inhibitory effect of END may be relieved in presence of T_3. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed few changes in the pattern of cytoplasmic proteins of the liver and the skeletal muscle in response to exposure to END. 1990 Academic Press. Inc.

Enzymatic and histopathologic biomarkers as indicators of aquatic pollution in fishes

In the present study we investigated the alteration in the activity of two metabolic enzymes [Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)] and the histological changes on liver and gills of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus collected from 6 sites along the river Nile, from its spring at Aswan to its estuary at Rosetta and Damietta branches. The results showed that the physical and chemical parameters of the water collected from Damietta and Rosetta branches were higher than those of the water collected from other sites. Remarkable alterations in the activity of the selected enzymes in the liver and muscles of the African catfish were detected. These alterations go in parallel with the elevation in the levels of chemical parameters detected in the water of Damietta and Rosetta branches as a result of pollution stress in these areas. The activity of G6PDH was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased from Aswan to Rosetta and Damietta recording the highest value at Rosetta followed by Damietta water. The activity of LDH showed a significant elevation (p < 0.05) in activity in the liver and muscles of fishes collected from Rosetta and Damietta branches comparing to other sites. These alterations in enzymatic activities were followed, in the present study, by the occurrence of histological lesions and clear damage in liver and gill tissues of the African catfish collected from the same sites. Thus we may conclude that, the altered activities of G6PDH and LDH could be useful biomarkers of water pollution. At the same time, histopathology provides a reliable, easily quantifiable index of low-level toxic stress to a broad range of environmental pollutants.

Lipid Oxidation of Catfish (<i>Arius maculatus</i>) after Cooking and Smoking by Different Methods Applied in Cameroon

The influence of different cooking and smoking methods (boiling, frying, frying + boiling, hot and cold smoking) on oxidation and fatty acid composition of catfish (Arius maculatus) commercialized on the Wouri river coast was evaluated including commonly used analytical indexes (peroxide and acid values)and physical analysis by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The mean moisture, protein, ash and fat contents of raw fish were 75.88 ± 0.55;64.24 ± 0.14;10.98 ± 0.31 and 23.02 ± 0.88 respectively. All these treatments provoke the modification of the quality indexes. Lipid deterioration, thermolysis and lipid oxidation occurred throughout the treatment. Peroxide value decreased for all cooked and smoked catfish, while free fatty acids of smoked sample increased. The FTIR applied to evaluate lipid oxidation in extracted lipid clearly provided a better picture of the oxidation progress and led to a similar conclusion with chemical analysis. Boiled, bleaching hot and bleaching cold smoking were found to be the suitable treatment methods for catfish because they gave it a high nutritive value compared to other smoking methods.

Diazinon-Induced Clastogenity and Pathological Changes in Ovaries and Testes of Clarias gariepinus

In most tropical developing countries, one of the problems facing aquaculture industry is the pollution of ponds and rivers with pesticides. Chemicals such as diazinon, an organophosphate pesticide, originating from agricultural activity enter the aquatic environment through atmospheric deposition, surface run-off or leaching. Pollutants enter the food chain through accumulation in soft bottom sediment and aquatic organisms. However, information on how these pesticides affect inhabiting organisms is often not available. In a triplicate experimental set-up, seventy-two (72) apparently healthy catfish comprising adult and juvenile of both sexes were therefore exposed to a previously determined no effect concentration (0.405 ppm) of diazinon. Another set of fish was exposed to 0.0625 μg sodium arsenite, a known clastogen, which was used as the positive control, while another set of catfish exposed to the culture water alone was the negative control. Adults and juveniles were exposed separately to avoid cannibalism. After 48 hours of exposure, micronuclei induction was determined in subsets of experimental groups, while exposure continued for 28 days. Catfish organs were harvested on days 21 and 28 to determine the effect of long-term exposure to diazinon on histology. Water quality was also monitored before and during exposure in the experimental groups. The result established a significantly high mean micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (15.00) in catfish exposed to diazinon suggesting genetic damage (normal is ≤4). The MPE in sodium arsenite exposed fish was 28, while that of the control group was below 4. Effect of sex and age on micronuclei induction was not significant. Histological alteration observed in the ovary and testis was distorted matured cells and extensive testicular degeneration, respectively. The results show that diazinon has clastogenic effect, and may have endocrine disrupting properties because of the histological changes induced in the ovaries and testis.

Effect of Short-Term Exposure to Mercuric Chloride on the Air-Breathing Catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis──Ⅱ.Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of the Gill

Alterations in the respiratory epithelium of gills of a catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis by the sublethal and lethal concentrations of HgCl2 have been observcd using scanning electron microscope. Fish exposed to 0.1 ppm shows a thin coat ot mucus, but the continuous layer of mucus is not retained in 0.3 ppm after 24 h of exposure. Epithelial cells of the gill filament are hyperplastic. Other changcs in the respiratory epithelium are contraction of epithelium, formation of interlamellar bridge and diminishing number of microridges. Massive destruction of the respiratory epithelium by deep lesions and sloughing of epithelial layer in 0.5 and 1.0 ppm solutions after 6-12 h of exposure apparently causes death to the fish. SEM observations are well in conformity with the findings made at light microscopic level