Effects of Phosalone on Mineral Contents and Spinal Deformities in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio, L.1758)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of phosalone on some mineral contents, morphological abnormalities and spinal deformities in common carp (Cyprinus carpio, L.1758). Fish were exposed to 0.15, 0.30 and 0.60 mg L of phosalone using a semi-static exposure regime for 14 days. Experiments were conducted in triplicate for control treatments and phosalone concentrations. At the end of the experiment, abnormal swimming and lethargy was observed in fish exposed to 0.30 and 0.60 mg L phosalone concentrations. The percentage morphological abnormalities of the control and phosalone treatment groups (0, 0.15, 0.30 and 0.60 mg L) were 0%, 0%, 35.33% and 65.00%, respectively. In direct radiography, a decrease in kyphosis at the thoral spine and a lordotic anomaly at the caudal spine were detected in fish exposed to the 0.30 mg L. In addition, deformity at the thoraco-abdominal junction of the spine and decreased lordotic curvature in the caudal region in the treatment group of 0.60 mg L were observed. Calcium and potassium levels in the spinal tissue of fish significantly decreased in the 0.30 and 0.60 mg L phosalone concentrations. While sodium concentration in the spinal tissue significantly decreased in all the phosalone-treatment groups, magnesium was significantly reduced only in the 0.60 mg L phosalone concentration group. Phosalone pollution may cause various ill effects on aquatic ecosystem, including spinal deformities. Therefore, it has to be kept under acceptable concentrations in aquatic environment.