Toxic, physiological, histomorphological, growth performance and antiparasitic effects of copper sulphate in fish aquaculture

This paper provides the current state of knowledge available from the literature regarding the use of copper sulphate (CuSO4) in culture of freshwater and marine fish as related to toxicity, growth performance, physiology, immunity, histomorphology and antiparasitic treatment. From this review, I have assessed and discussed all of these factors, as well as the potential strategies available for use in fish farming. Acute toxicity (96h-LD50) to CuSO4 varies widely among fish species (0.001-730 mg/L) depending on various water quality factors, and many fish species are sensitive to concentrations near those required for controlling and treating parasite infections. Acute exposure to CuSO4 may lead to mortality while sublethal exposure in different organism causes changes in feeding and swimming behaviour, growth performance, histomorphology of gills, liver, kidney, and spleen, hematology, blood biochemistry, the antioxidant defense system, and oxygen consumption. After exposure to copper sulphate, copper ions often accumulate in the gills, liver, kidney and spleen, and in the gills provokes changes in mucus and chloride cells, hyperplasia and/or hypertrophy of primary and/or secondary lamellae, edema of the gill epithelium, and lamellar fusion. Long and short-term exposure to copper sulphate may negatively affect the body growth of fish exposed, and control and treat ectoparasite infections that are discussed here. Copper sulphate may be a chemotherapeutic for controlling and treating ectoparasites in farmed fish because of its effectiveness and low cost.

Automated summary

This paper presents the current knowledge on the use of copper sulphate in freshwater and marine fish farming, focusing on its toxicity, growth performance, physiology, immunity, histomorphology, and antiparasitic treatment effects. The review highlights the wide variability in acute toxicity levels among different fish species and the sensitivity of many species to concentrations required for parasite control. Additionally, the paper discusses the potential strategies for using copper sulphate in fish farming.