Formalin Toxicity to Caspian roach, Rutilus rutilus caspicus Fry

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Formalin is a common disinfectant and therapeutic agent in fisheries-related activities. Considering large variation in susceptibility of different species to formalin toxicity, it is necessary to determine its toxicity and safety margins in different species, separately. Therefore, to investigate formalin acute toxicity and safety margins on Caspian roach, an experiment was conducted in 1g Caspian roachs Rutilus rutilus caspicus. Fish were exposed to 0, 30, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 70, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 400 ppm formalin and mortality was recorded after 0.5, 1, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96h. 0.5-96 h LC50 values were 49-246 ppm. The lowest observed effect concentrations (LOEC) were found to be 40-150 ppm at different periods. No observed effect concentrations (NOEC) were 30-100 ppm at different periods. According to regression model for NOEC versus time, concentrations of 88.4, 80.3, 51.2 and 40.1 ppm are suggested as the maximum concentrations for 0.5, 1, 12 and 24 h bath treatment, respectively. Results showed the recommendations for formalin safety in the literatures are not applicable and valid for Caspian roach. Such differences could be due to species or experimental differences which should be taken into account before treating.