Toxicity of aqueous extract of Euphorbia tirucalli latex on catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis.

A four-day static renewal acute toxicity test was performed to determine the LC(50) value of aqueous extract of Euphorbia tirucalli latex for the freshwater fish, Heteropneustes fossilis. The LC(50) values, their upper and lower confidence limits and slope functions were calculated. The LC(50) values for aqueous extract of E. tirucalli latex at various exposure periods are 3.450 μl/L for 24 h, 2.516 μl/L for 48 h, 1.623 μl/L for 72 h and 1.315 μl/L for 96 h. The toxicity of aqueous extract of E. tirucalli latex exhibits a positive correlation between fish mortality and exposure periods. It is concluded that latex of E. tirucalli has higher piscicidal activity as compared with other synthetic pesticides, organophosphates and pyrethroids for the fish H. fossilis. Hence, adequate precautions must be exercised when E. tirucalli latex is being used near fish-inhabiting water reservoirs.