Hyper extension of fins, dullness in body colour
and fish body became lean towards abdomen and carp
under stress were observed with time and
concentration in experimental periods. Intermittently,
some of the fish sank to the bottom with their least
opercular movements, failing to fight chlorpyrifos
stress in both the sublethal exposures and in recovery
periods. In later period’s there was slight swelling in
the abdominal region, which persisted even under
recovery periods in both the test concentrations. In
general, fish poisoned with anticholinesterase
insecticides show signs of muscle paralysis, especially
of the fins and respiratory apparatus, hyperactivity
and loss of balance (Sancho et al., 1998). Leaning of
fish indicates reduced feeding behavior and diversion
of fish metabolism towards adaptability to the toxic
media. Feeding preferences were affected and
consumption of food in fish was impaired and
reduced drastically. This was more pronounced in
one-seventh of sublethal exposure periods and
continued even under recovery periods. For these
animals, it might be profitable to decrease their food
uptake under toxic environmental conditions to lower
the energetic costs of digestion. Depression in
appetite is a common response of fish to stress and
intermittence of feeding for longer periods can have a