DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2016.v04i07.005

Pages: 578-582

Pesticides used against agricultural pest and ecto-parasite in animals may also induce injurious effect in humans, pets, aquatic animals, beneficial insects and fish due to industrial and agricultural run-off. The aim of the present study was to determine and compare the toxicity of two different pesticides viz. Profenofos an organophosphate and Cypermethrin a synthetic parathyroid on zebrafish, Danio rerio. These two pesticides are commonly used in agricultural practices. Mature male and female zebrafish were randomly selected and exposed to both the pesticides. The mortality rate of zebrafish was monitored under laboratory conditions for the time period of 24, 48, 72 and 96-h. Data obtained from the toxicity test were evaluated using by the Stat plus® 2009 computer program. The 96-h LC50 of profenofos is 0.388µg/l and for cypermethrin 0.018 µg/l. It was found that cypermethrin is more toxic to zebrafish as compared to profenofos. Zebrafish can be used as bioindicator to assess the pesticidal pollution in aquatic environment.