Role of waterborne copper on survival, growth and feed intake of Indian major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala Hamilton.

The effect of copper on survival, growth and feed intake of Indian major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton) fry (0.92 +/- 0.28 g) was studied for 60 days. Survival rates of the fish exposed to control (0.02), 0.10, 0.15 and 0.23 mg L(-1) copper were 100%, 83 +/- 3%, 58 +/- 6%, and 50 +/- 4%, respectively. Average daily growth was significantly (p < 0.05) lower at 0.15 and 0.23 mg L(-1) of copper. There was almost no growth at 0.23 mg L(-1) of copper. Feed intake rates reduced significantly (p < 0.05) at all the copper treatments. The copper accumulation in the fish increased with increasing concentrations of the metal.