Impact of Exposure to Carbofuran (Furadan) on the Freshwater Teleost Fish, Tilapia mossambica

Teleost fish, such as Tilapia mossambica, are widely recognized as important models in ecotoxicological research due to their evolutionary and ecological relevance. The current study evaluates the physiological and histopathological effects of the carbamate pesticide, carbofuran (Furadan) on T. mossambica. Fishes were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of carbofuran (1.5 ppm and 2.5 ppm) for 24 and 48 hours. The median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) for 24-hour exposure was determined to be 3 ppm. Significant reductions in oxygen consumption were observed, indicating metabolic disruption. Histopathological examination of the gills, liver, and intestine revealed pronounced tissue alterations, including necrosis, hyperplasia, vacuolization, and epithelial damage. The study was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions using cultured fish, ensuring that the observed effects are solely due to carbofuran exposure without external environmental interference. These findings demonstrate that even sub-lethal concentrations of carbofuran can cause severe physiological and structural impairments in fish, underscoring the pesticide’s potential risk to aquatic organisms and the broader aquatic environment.