Edible Freshwater Fish Research Articles

Muscle Fatty Acid Content in Selected Freshwater Fish from Bukit Merah Reservoir, Perak, Malaysia.

One of the oldest reservoirs in Peninsular Malaysia, Bukit Merah Reservoir, is a place in which locals participate in fishing activities. Inland fisheries are important to individuals, society and the environment; whereby they generate a source of income and food security. It is essential to gauge the nutrition value of fish caught in this location as food source, especially in terms of fatty acid composition, to better demonstrate its potential towards the betterment of human health and general well-being. From an initial list of 47 fish species available in Bukit Merah Reservoir, a total of seven edible freshwater fish species were identified, namely tinfoil barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii), Javanese barb (Barbonymus gonionotus), hampala barb (Hampala macrolepidota), beardless barb (Cyclocheilichthys apogon), glassfish (Oxygaster anomalura), striped snakehead (Channa striata) and horseface loach (Acantopsis dialuzona), and muscle fatty acid content was analysed to determine their nutritional value. Muscle of cyprinid fish contained substantial amount of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) compared to fish from Channidae and Cobitidae families. Javanese and tinfoil barbs muscle recorded the highest levels of combined eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) indicating the highest nutritional value comparatively. Unexpectedly, the striped snakehead, a predatory carnivore, contained lower levels of LC-PUFA compared to detrivorous/herbivorous fishes. This further justifies that the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content in fish muscle varies according to their feeding habits. Even though it has been recommended that marine fish be consumed to improve health to a certain extent, there still are benefits of consuming freshwater fish, as there are several species which contain considerable amounts of beneficial omega-3 PUFA.

Comparative Assessment of Nutritional Composition in Raw and Cooked Indian Freshwater Fish Lepidocephalus thermalis (V.)

Lepidocephalus thermalis, the Indian Spiny Loach is an IUCN least concern status edible freshwater fish with indigenous flavor and taste found endemic in Tamil Nadu. In this study, the proximate nutritional composition, amino acid, vitamin, fatty acid, micro and macro mineral analyses for raw and boiled fish samples were estimated instantaneously as cooking could lead to changes in the level of certain nutrients. This fish is with 33.09% saturated, 32.86% mono unsaturated and 30.49% polyunsaturated fatty acids. The predominant amino acids were glycine (715 mg/100 g), histidine (375 mg/100 g), alanine (237 mg/100 g) and arginine (130 mg/100 g). The fish comprised a good level of calcium (924 mg/100 g), zinc (0.14 mg/100 g) and iron (1.86 mg/100 g). Boiled fish had reduced level of certain amino acids like glycine (410 mg/100 g) and alanine (124 mg/100 g). There was no significant difference in the fatty acid composition in the boiled fish.

Strategi Peningkatan Kinerja Balai Benih Ikan Dinas Kelautan dan Perikanan Kabupaten Sukabumi

Regional Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD) of Fish Nurtury Center (BBI) Cimaja plays important role in providing high quality fish seeds and broodstock in Sukabumi as well as in supporting District Own Source Revenue (PAD). Presence and performance of UPTD BBI Cimaja are highly meaningful for enhancing production of edible freshwater fish. The aim of research is to (1) determine performance of UPTD BBI Cimaja based on Balanced Scorecard; (2) investigate factors affecting performance of UPTD BBI Cimaja based on Balanced Scorecard; and (3) develop strategy for improving performance of UPTD BBI Cimaja based on Balanced Scorecard. The performance was determined based on balanced scorecard using AHP software, while the strategy development for improving main task and function of BBI Cimaja was processed using SWOT and AHP. Based on balanced scorecard perspective, the maximum performance of UPTD BBI Cimaja has not been reached, thus the improvement through intensive and aggressive strategy of growth and development is required. The results showed 23 factors influencing performance of UPTD BBI Cimaja, consisting of 2 financial factors, 10 customer factors, 6 internal factors, and 5 learning and growth factors. Based on AHP and SWOT analysis, the concrete strategy for performance enhancement regarding to customer perspective was translocation that provides sufficient water sources, and new fish pond construction supported by Regional Government Budget (APBD) to maintain BBI reputation, as well as increase in seed diversity and production to improve number of customers.

Metazoan Ectoparasites of Edible Freshwater Fishes of Vizianagaram District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Metazoan Ectoparasites of Edible Freshwater Fishes of Vizianagaram District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Effect of Processing on Pesticide Residues in Some Edible Fresh Water Fishes

The present study was undertaken to ascertain the effect of processing on pesticide residues in edible fresh water fishes. The fish samples were collected from two different fish markets located in Ludhiana city. Pesticide residues were detected in five different fish species by employing Gas Liquid Chromatography. Major pesticides detected include β-HCH, γ-HCH and chlorpyriphos with levels 0.30 mg kg−1, 0.1–0.35 mg kg−1 and 0.14–0.58 mg kg−1, respectively. Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala were found to have higher levels of pesticide residues. These fish samples were then processed by four different processing methods viz. deep frying, steaming by pressure cooker, conventional oven baking and microwave oven baking to check the reduction in residue levels. Deep frying caused maximum reduction i.e. 40–45% as compared to other processing methods. Steaming reduced pesticide residues by 14–16%, microwave oven baking resulted in 17–20% and conventional oven baking resulted in 20–21% reduction.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Bacillus subtilis and Terribacillus saccharophillus on Innate Immune Responses of a Tropical Freshwater Fish, Labeo rohita

Objective: Indiscriminate use of antibiotics to control fish diseases has led to the development and propagation of antibiotic resistant bacteria in aquatic ecosystems. Amongst the various alternatives proposed, enhancing immunity in fish using probiotics is the most widely accepted approach. Several earlier studies indicated the possibility of more potent effects of bacteria on fish when administered in live condition than as inactivated cells. But very few studies have explored the effect of gut bacteria on innate immune responses of fishes. Hence an attempt is made to study immunostimulatory effects of dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis and Terribacillus saccharophillus isolated from the gut of an edible Indian freshwater fish, Labeo rohita, in the same species. Methods: Long term administration (for 30 and 60 days) of B. subtilis or T. saccharophillus isolated from the gut wall of L. rohita were tested in the same species for their ability to improve innate immunity through measurement of the phagocytic activity, respiratory burst, myeloperoxidase activity, serum IgM levels, serum lectins, haemagglutination and haemolytic activity. Results: Dietary administration of 107 cfu/g of B.subtilis/T. saccharophillus for 30 (B1) or 60 (B2) days resulted in a significant increase in immune and humoral responses of L. rohita. Serum phagocytic activity, respiratory burst activity, myeloperoxidase activity, serum lectins, haemagglutination and haemolytic activity increased upon administration of B.subtilis / T. saccharophillus, except serum IgM levels which increased only in B1. A positive correlation was observed between the duration of supplementation of diets and the responses in both the cases. Conclusion: The results suggest that T. saccharophillus can also be used as a potent probiont similar to B.subtilis and both will have significant applications in fish feed formulations and disease prevention.

Research on Risk Perception and the Influence Factors Analysis of Freshwater Edible Fish

This paper studied 192 consumers' risk perception of freshwater fish and its influencing factors with Probit regression method based on the survey of Yangzhou city in Jiangsu province. Results showed that nearly 40% of consumers have a higher risk perception for the quality safety of freshwater fish and think that environmental hormone residues and antibiotic residues are main safety problems of freshwater fish. According to the influencing degree, the factors influencing consumer's risk perception of freshwater fish are food safety concern, food safety situation, consumers' gender, knowledge of freshwater fish, the concept of healthy diet, the purchase experience, kids under the age of 18, education and price of freshwater fish in sequence.

Identification of Cryptosporidium Species in Fish from Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) in France.

Cryptosporidium, a protozoan parasite that can cause severe diarrhea in a wide range of vertebrates including humans, is increasingly recognized as a parasite of a diverse range of wildlife species. However, little data are available regarding the identification of Cryptosporidium species and genotypes in wild aquatic environments, and more particularly in edible freshwater fish. To evaluate the prevalence of Cryptosporidiumspp. in fish from Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) in France, 41 entire fish and 100 fillets (cuts of fish flesh) were collected from fishery suppliers around the lake. Nested PCR using degenerate primers followed by sequence analysis was used. Five fish species were identified as potential hosts of Cryptosporidium: Salvelinus alpinus, Esox lucius, Coregonus lavaretus, Perca fluviatilis, and Rutilus rutilus. The presence of Cryptosporidium spp. was found in 15 out of 41 fish (37%), distributed as follows: 13 (87%) C. parvum, 1 (7%) C. molnari, and 1 (7%) mixed infection (C. parvum and C. molnari). C. molnari was identified in the stomach, while C. parvum was found in the stomach and intestine. C. molnari was also detected in 1 out of 100 analyzed fillets. In order to identify Cryptosporidium subtypes, sequencing of the highly polymorphic 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) was performed. Among the C. parvum positive samples, three gp60 subtypes were identified: IIaA15G2R1, IIaA16G2R1, and IIaA17G2R1. Histological examination confirmed the presence of potential developmental stages of C. parvum within digestive epithelial cells. These observations suggest that C. parvum is infecting fish, rather than being passively carried. Since C. parvum is a zoonotic species, fish potentially contaminated by the same subtypes found in terrestrial mammals would be an additional source of infection for humans and animals, and may also contribute to the contamination of the environment with this parasite. Moreover, the risk of human transmission is strengthened by the observation of edible fillet contamination.

Description of a new species of Myxobolus Butschli, 1882 from the Cirrhinus mrigala Hamilton, 1822 an edible fish of India.

Myxobolus Bütschli 1882 is an important group of parasitic protozoa infecting a large number of freshwater fish species worldwide. The severity of Myxobolus infection leads to heavy loss in production of fishes. During the survey of the fish parasites, a new species of the genus Myxobolus have been isolated from the gills of a freshwater edible fish Cirrhinus mrigala Hamilton, 1822 from Canning, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India which has been described here.

A survey of metacercarial infections in commonly edible fish and crab hosts prevailing in Manipur, Northeast India

Food-borne trematode infections, which are mainly transmitted through consumption of inadequately cooked or raw fish and crabs, affect a large section of population, particularly in Southeast Asian countries, thus eliciting a remarkable morbidity and causing serious damage to health. In India, centering in several mountainous regions of the Northeast, the natives have the habit of consuming such fish or crabs that still sustain viable infective larval stage (metacercaria) of trematode flukes in their muscle tissue. The present study was undertaken to ascertain the spectrum of metacercarial diversity in commonly edible freshwater fishes and crab species in the northeastern state of Manipur and to adjudge their zoonotic potential, if any. Commonly edible fishes belonging to 15 species from 12 localities and crabs belonging to 2 species from 11 localities across Manipur state were surveyed for the purpose. The study revealed that 3 species of fishes (Channa punctatus, C. straitus and Wallago attu) harboured 4 different types of metacercariae belonging to 4 trematode families-Euclinostomum heterostomum (Clinostomidae); Lophosicyadiplostomum sp. and Posthodiplostomum sp. (Diplostomidae); and Polylekithum sp. (Allocreadiidae) in addition to adult flukes of Isoparorchis hypselobagri (Isoparorchiidae). Among these, metacercariae of Posthodiplostomum showed the highest prevalence (2.33%) though a low abundance, while for other species the prevalence ranged between 0.25 and 1.19%. The crab species (Barythelphusa lugubris masoniana and Potamiscus manipuriensis) were found infected with 4 different types of metacercariae representing the genera Paragonimus (Troglotrematidae) and Microphallus (Microphallidae). The paragonimids showed a higher rate of occurrence (~4-25%) compared to microphallids (~15%). The crustaceans surveyed emerged as prospective intermediate hosts for lungflukes. Identifying the potent vectors for zoonotic parasites helps in control measures towards their transmission to higher mammals.

Impact of cadmium toxicity on behavioral and haematological biomarkers of freshwater fish, Catla catla

The present work is aimed to evaluate LC 50 values of Cadmium chloride for freshwater and common people edible fish, Catla catla , as well as to observe behavioural alterations treated with Cadmium. The LC 50 values for 24h, 48h, 72h and 96h were found 14.59, 10.76, 8.45 and 5.36 mg/l, respectively. The major behavioural alterations observed during the experiments were erratic swimming, S-jerk movements and burst swimming, restlessness, muscle spasm, fin flickering, profuse mucous secretion, discolouration of the integument in exposed animals. Overall increase in opercular beats in exposed fishes was also recorded throughout the experiments. The above modulations are considered as good bio-markers to access the health status of these valuable and cherished fishes as well as worsening status of aquatic bodies in relation to metallic contaminants, particular Cadmium. Haematological indices are considered to be pathophysiological indicators of the whole body and therefore are important in diagnosing the structural and functional status of animals exposed to pollutants. Exposure of fish to sublethal concentration of cadmium showed a significant decrease in the haemoglobin (Hb) content, total red blood cells (TRBC) and packed cell volume (PCV/Hct) at the end of 30 th day as compared to control, this may impair oxygen supply to various tissues, thus resulting in a slow metabolic rate and low energy production and indicates the worsening of an organism state and developing anaemia. Whereas the total white blood cells (TWBC) increased significantly, with increase in exposure periods, may be attributed to immunological response of the fish to heavy metal. To safeguard these, it is suggested, that the cadmium levels should be monitored and be restricted to release in to the aquatic environment either in any way with heavy metals monitoring devices.

Oxidative stress in freshwater fish, Labeo rohita as a biomarker of malathion exposure

This study examined the effect of lethal (4.5 μg/l) and sublethal (0.45 μg/l) malathion levels on oxidative stress responses of the freshwater edible fish, Labeo rohita. Fish were exposed to lethal (1-4 days) and sublethal (1, 5, 10, and 15 days) periods. In the present study, catalase and protease activity, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls, and free amino acids levels increased in the gill, liver, and kidney tissues of fish exposed to lethal and sublethal concentrations of malathion except protein content. Time- and concentration-dependent induction/reduction of the above parameters by lethal and sublethal concentrations of malathion was observed in the tissues (the gill, liver, and kidney) of L. rohita. Thus, the results clearly infer oxidative damage and decline in antioxidant defense due to malathion-induced oxidative stress.

Persistent Organic Pollutants in Fresh Water Ecosystems

Persistent Organic Pollutants in Fresh Water Ecosystems

Levels of heavy metals in tissues of shingi fish (Heteropneustes fossilis) from Buriganga River, Bangladesh

Heavy metal pollution was reported in commercially valuable freshwater edible fish in the Buriganga River, Bangladesh. The concentrations of As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, and Cu were investigated in the muscle, gill, stomach, intestine, and liver of Heteropneustes fossilis caught at three stations to assess the degree of fish pollution by heavy metals. Significant differences in concentrations of analyzed elements were observed among different tissues, but not among the stations. The ranges of the measured concentrations (μg/g dry weight) in the tissues of H. fossilis were as follows: arsenic concentration was (0.2-0.4), (0.82-0.90), (3.29-3.99), (2.20-2.80), and (2.41-2.90), that of lead was (1.79-2.20), (4.95-6.55), (10.36-13.38), (5.74-9.70), and (18.20-18.79), that of cadmium was (0.3-0.4), (2.87-4.27), (1.03-1.63), (1.55-4.59), and (2.25-5.50), that of chromium was (1.40-1.70), (3.52-3.72), (2.28-5.29), (2.77-3.79), and (4.25-8.65), that of zinc was (24.47-28.82), (16.82-18.80), (20.22-22.20), (22.86-26.68), and (60.82-67.80), and that of copper was (7.80-8.50), (6.22-6.81), (38.21-44.25), (17.07-21.03), and (43.24-47.30) in the muscle, gill, stomach, intestine, and liver, respectively. This research showed that the liver appeared to be the main heavy metal storage tissue, while the muscle had the lowest levels of analyzed metals. The concentrations of metal in the muscles not exceeded the acceptable levels for a food source for human consumption.

Levels, Distribution, and Health Risks of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Four Freshwater Edible Fish Species from the Beijing Market

We first estimated the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the brain, liver, bladder, roe, and muscle of four species of edible freshwater fish from the Beijing market. The distribution characteristics of PAHs in these tissues and organs were analyzed to determine their health risks to humans. The results showed that the residual levels of wet weight and lipid-normalized weight ∑PAHs in various tissues of these fish ranged from 0.51 ng·g−1 to 28.78 ng·g−1 and from 93.62 ng·g−1 to 8203.43 ng·g−1, respectively. The wet weight contents of ∑PAHs were relatively higher in the brain and lower in the liver and muscle. But the differences were not significant. And the differences of lipid-normalized weight PAHs were significant, which in the bighead carp were found significantly the highest, followed in crucian carp, and the lowest in grass carp and carp. The contents of ∑PAHs were the highest in the liver and the lowest in the brain. In the tissues with a higher lipid content, higher residual levels of PAHs were found. The carcinogenic risks for humans from residual ∑PAHs in the various fish tissues were far below 10−5.

Perfluorinated Compounds in Human Blood, Water, Edible Freshwater Fish, and Seafood in China: Daily Intake and Regional Differences in Human Exposures

Despite the growing public interest in perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), very few studies have reported the sources and pathways of human exposure to these compounds in China. In this study, concentrations of 10 PFCs were measured in human blood, water (tap water and surface water), freshwater fish, and seafood samples collected from China. On the basis of the data, we calculated daily intakes of PFCs, regional differences in human exposures, and potential risks associated with ingestion of PFCs from diet, drinking water, and indoor dust for the Chinese population. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the most predominant PFC found with a mean concentration of 12.5 ng/mL in human blood from Tianjin and 0.92 ng/g wet wt in freshwater fish and seafood; perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the major PFC found in drinking water at a concentration range of 0.10 to 0.92 ng/L. The estimated daily intake of PFOS and PFOA via fish and seafood consumption (EDI(fish&seafood)) ranged from 0.10 to 2.51 and 0.13 to 0.38 ng/kg bw/day, respectively, for different age groups (i.e., toddlers, adolescents and children, and adults) from selected locations (i.e., Tianjin, Nanchang, Wuhan, and Shenyang). The EDI(fish&seafood) of PFCs decreased (p < 0.05) with age. The estimated daily intake of PFOS and PFOA via drinking water consumption (EDI(drinking water)) ranged from 0.006 to 0.014 and 0.010 to 0.159 ng/kg bw/day, respectively. Comparison of EDI(fish&seafood) and EDI(drinking water) values with those of the modeled total dietary intake (TDI) of PFCs by adults from Tianjin, Nanchang, Wuhan, and Shenyang showed that contributions of fish and seafood to TDI of PFOS varied depending on the location. Fish and seafood accounted for 7%, 24%, 80%, and 84% of PFOS intake in Nanchang, Shenyang, Wuhan, and Tianjin, respectively, suggesting regional differences in human exposure to PFOS. Drinking water was a minor source of PFOS (<1%) exposure in adults from all the study locations.

A new report on the occurrence of monogenean parasites (Monogenoidea) on gill filaments of freshwater fishes in Meghalaya

The edible freshwater fishes of several genera including Labeo, Cyprinus, Cirrhinus, Danio, Puntius, Garra (Cypriniformes), Channa (Channiformes), Clarias, Heteropneustes, Rita, Monopterus, Ompak, Bagarius and Mystus (Siluriformes) in Meghalaya State were examined for their helminth parasite spectrum. Two monogenean flukes representing the genera Diplozoon and Bifurcohaptor were recovered from the gills of the host fish, which are redescribed herein and their descriptions supplemented with information on their surface fine topography. Labeo pangusia and L. boga constitute new host records for the diplozoid monogenean. Both the monogenean species are reported for the first time from the fishes in Meghalaya, a new locality record.

Residual levels and health risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in freshwater fishes from Lake Small Bai-Yang-Dian, Northern China

The residual levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the liver, brain, gill and muscle tissues of four common edible freshwater fish species including crucian carp , snakehead fish , grass carp and silver carp collected from Lake Small Bai-Yang-Dian in northern China were measured by GC–MS. The distribution and composition pattern of PAHs in the fish tissues, and the effects of lipid contents in fish tissues and the octanol–water partition coefficient (Kow) of PAHs congeners on them were analyzed. The human health risk of PAHs though fish consumptions was estimated. The following results were obtained: (1) The average residual levels of total PAHs (PAH 16) on wet weight base in the different tissues of each fish species ranged from 4.764 to 144.254 ng/g ww. The differences in the average residual levels on wet weight base for PAH 16 within four fish species were not statistically significant ( P > 0.05); however, these within four fish tissues were statistically significant ( P < 0.01). (2) There were very similar distribution patterns of PAH congeners among both the fish tissues and the fish species, as indicated by statistically significant positive interrelationships ( R = 0.58–0.97, P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Low molecular weight (LMW) PAHs predominated the distribution in the fish tissues, accounting for 89.97% of total PAHs. Phe was the most dominant component, according for 37.79% of total PAHs, followed by Ant (18.59%), Flo (12.59%), Nap (10.79%), Fla (9.82%) and Pyr (6.43%). (3) The PAHs residues and distribution in the fish tissues are dependent on both the Kow of PAH congeners and the lipid contents in the fish tissues. There was a significant positive relationship ( R = 0.7116, P < 0.0001) between lipid contents and PAHs residual levels. The statistically significant negative relationships ( P < 0.05) were found between LogKow and log-transformed PAHs contents on wet weight base for all fish tissues except for the muscle tissue of snakehead fish, the brain and liver tissues of crucian carp. (4) The risk levels of total PAHs were lower than 10 −5 for the muscle tissues of four studied fish species and for the brain tissues of grass carp and snakehead fish; while these were higher than 10 −5 for the brain tissues of crucian carp and silver carp. The risk levels of total PAHs in the liver tissues of four studied fish species except for snakehead fish exceeded 10 −5 for 2–4.5 times. However, the potency equivalent concentration (PEC) of total PAHs in four studied fish tissues were still lower than the maximum permissible BaP limits for crops and baked meat and for plants in the national criterions. The distributions of PAH congeners in fish were well simulated by a level III fugacity model, especially for low molecule weight PAHs.

RETRACTED: Fluctuations of certain biochemical constituents and markers enzymes as a consequence of monocrotophos toxicity in the edible freshwater fish, Channa punctatus

This article has been removed at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. Please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal ( http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy ). Reason: this article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief as the authors have plagiarized part of a paper that has previously been published in the journal Ecotoxicol. Environm. Safety , Volume 63, Issue 1, January 2006, pages 141-147; "Fluctuations of biochemical constituents and marker enzymes as a consequence of naphthalene toxicity in the edible estuarine crab Scylla serrata" by K. Vijayavel and M.P. Balasubramanian.

Heavy metals in water and in tissues of himri (Carasobarbus luteus) from Orontes (Asi) River, Turkey

Concentrations of heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb ve Zn) were measured in running water and in tissues (muscle, liver, gill, skin and gonads) of one commercially valuable fish species (Carasobarbus luteus) from the Orontes (Asi) River (Güzelburç region) in Hatay (Southeastern Turkey). Results for levels in water compared with national and international water quality guidelines were found at the highest concentrations in international criteria's WHO, EC and EPA, but Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb were found to exceed permissible level of drinking water in national criteria TSE-266 whereas Fe, Zn and Cr concentrations were within the permissible levels for drinking. The present study showed a significant seasonal variation (p < 0.05) in the concentration of the studied metals in the selected tissues, except gonads (p > 0.05), which showed seasonal variation of only Zn (p < 0.05). Maximum concentrations of Ag, Cd, Cr and Pb were detected in gonads followed by liver, gill, skin and muscle while maximum concentrations of Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn were detected in liver followed by other tissues. Concentrations of heavy metals in the muscle of C. luteus were below the permissible limit for human consumption, level of Cu being very close to the permissible limit. Consequently, continuous monitoring of heavy metal concentration in edible freshwater fish will be needed in Orontes River.