Sensitivity of Some Freshwater Fish Species Used in Brazil

Abstract

In order to compare the sensitivity of six freshwater fish species ecotoxicological assays were performed, under identical conditions, with the following chemicals: hexavalent chromium, copper, zinc, mercury, unionized ammonia, and pesticides formulations of H.C.H. and D.D.T. The differences in sensitivity were considered expressive when the ratio between 96 h-LC50s was > 2. The normalized 96 h-LC50s allowed to order the sensitivity of fish species, indicating that native species [Hemigrammus marginatus (bandeirinha) and Serrapinnus notomelas (piabinha)] are as sensitivity as traditional species [(Danio rerio (zebrafish) and Poecilia reticulata (guppy)]. Other exotic species, such as Cyprinus carpio (common carp) and Tilapia rendalli (tilápia), showed less sensitivity than other species studied. This study indicates that species such as Danio rerio and Poecilia reticulata can be used as substitute of native species in acute ecotoxicity assays with chemicals and liquid effluents.