Reprotoxic effect of malachite green on african catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822)

Abstract

The reprotoxic effects of malachite green on Clarias gariepinus was investigated in this study. Male and female broodstock were exposed to malachite green preparation at 20 mg mL -1 stock solution dissolved in 20 L of well-aerated water for 45 min. After which fish were removed and placed in fresh water. Treatment was repeated every other day for three treatments; after which spawning was artificially induced. Malachite green had a significantly detrimental effect on reproduction outcome, including egg and milt quality and hatchability. Histological assessments revealed distorted and necrotic eggs, disrupted and depleted seminiferous tubules in the testes. Additionally, in other organs harvested from sacrificed male broodstock, there was local degeneration of the skin. The use of malachite green should be discouraged in Nigerian aquaculture industry by imposing and enforcing a ban on its usage. This is both necessary for sustainable aquaculture production and public health protection. Furthermore, the potential of alternative parasiticides, like humic acid and chlorine dioxide, should be explored to replace malachite green. © 2011 Academic Journals Inc.