Exploitation of Acute Toxicity of the Seeds of Anamirta cocculus (Linn.) as a Potential Aquaculture Management Tool to Eradicate Unwanted Fish Fauna

Acute toxicity studies on the seeds of the Indian berry Anamirta cocculus (Linn.) were carried out using the air-breathing catfish Clarias batrachus (Linn.). The acute toxicity was tested for 1, 2, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of exposure and the respective LC50 and LC99 values were estimated. The results indicated the powerful piscicidal property of the seeds of A. cocculus. The 1, 2, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours LC50 values of the piscicide were 501, 256, 220, 194, 186 and 181 ppm, respectively. The toxicity was found to depend on the concentration of the toxicant as well as on the duration of exposure. On the other hand, the LC50 values were found to be inversely proportional to exposure duration. Being a potent piscicidal agent, seeds of A. cocculus may be used for eradicating unwanted wild fishes, especially the sturdy air breathing species like C. batrachus, from aquaculture ponds.