Toxic Effects of Paper Mill Effluents on Mortality, Behaviour and Morphology of Snake Headed Fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch.)

Present study was undertaken to find out the physico-chemical characteristics of paper mill effluents and their impact on mortality, behavior and morphology of fish, Channa punctatus. The result of physico-chemical characteristics of treated effluents showed that pH, EC, chloride and phenolic compound are within the permissible limit but colour, order, BOD, COD, TSS do not meet the permissible standards set by Central Pollution Control Board of India. LC values of paper mill 50 effluents of both sites (Po and Pd) for Channa punctatus were found 15% and 20%, respectively after 96 hours. Authors recorded abnormal behaviour of the fish studied throughout 96 hours in both effluents. The fishes showed erratic, haphazard movement, rapid opercular movement and tendency to jump out of water. The effluent exposed fishes showed the excessive secretion of the mucus. Many changes were seen in gill, skin and fins of fishes due to exposure of effluent. The gill colour changes from dark red to dull red and skin become erupted. The response of the fish towards toxicity was grossly dependent on concentration of effluents and length of exposure. Thus, the present study revealed that fish, Channa punctatus is sensitive to paper mill effluent toxicity and can be used as biological indicator.