M. Santhankumar, M. Balaji and K. Ramudu
Abstract
Fish behaviours are extremely sensitive to toxicants. Healthy and active specimens of Anabas testudineus exposed to the sublethal concentration (1.9 mg/L, 9.5 mg/L) of monocrotophos for 120 h showed changes in respiratory behaviour. Significant increase (P <0.05) in surfacing, ventilation rate, coughing, tail twitching and fanning behaviour was observed in pesticide exposed fish. Frequency of burst swimming also increased in monocrotophos exposed fish but significant decrease (P <0.05) in aggressive behaviour like threat was observed.