Toxicity of Euphorbia antiquorum latex extract to fresh water fish Poecilia reticulata

The use of plant extract as poisons for hunting and fishing is common among fishermen of various countries. Fish poisons from plants are also known as piscicides or inchthyotoxins. Several plant species are known to possess bioactive compounds that are toxic to fish. The piscicidal activity of methanolic latex extracts of Euphorbia antiquorum plant belonging to Family: Euphorbiaceae against Poecilia reticulata (Peters) in laboratory conditions was investigated. The LC50 value recorded for Euphorbia antiquorum latex extract at 72 hr of exposure was 1.62 ml/dl. Fish larvae tested in the methanol extract of Euphorbia antiquorum latex showed various pathological changes such as erratic swimming, moribund behavior, depigmentation and death in various concentrations of the substance tested. No pathological changes and mortality were observed in the control group.