ACUTE TOXICITY OF OVER THE COUNTER DRUG TO FINGERLING OF Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822).

ABSTRACT
The primary objective of this work was to determine the acute toxicity of pharmaceutical (Acetaminophen) on the fingerling stage of catfish. The Acute Toxicity test on C. gariepinus followed the standard of the Organisation of Economic and Co- Operation Development (OECD) NO: 203 Toxicity testing guide line for a 96hrs. Additional objective included examination of behavioural impacts of acetaminophen on fingerlings of catfish. The results indicated that Acetaminophen exposure led to gulping of air, restlessness, surface to bottom movement, sudden quick movement and excessive resting at the bottom of the test tanks. Fingerlings exposed to 800 mg/L acetaminophen resulted in 100% mortality within the first 24 hours of exposure in the range finding test. The resultant 96hrsacute test showed that acetaminophen toxicity was concentration dependent (240.24mg/L). There was no significant difference (p>0.5) in the mortality of fingerlings within the same concentration (replicates).Based on ranging finding test of acetaminophen, the Lowest-Observed-Effect Concentration (LOEC) and the No-Observed-Effect-Concentration (NOEC) to fingerling of C. gariepinuswere100 and 50 mg/L.