Effects Of Acetaminophen On Carassius Auratus Feeding Rate And Movement

Abstract

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP) are increasingly detected in freshwater ecosystems and may have adverse effects on aquatic biota. Acetaminophen is a widely used analgesic and antipyretic drug that might be discharged directly (e.g., wastewater) into rivers and lakes. Thus, organisms inhabiting streams or manmade impoundments receiving wastewater effluent might be affected by this drug. Fish species in these habitats are likely tolerant to low dissolved oxygen, high turbidity, high salinity and forage on benthic vegetation and detritus (e.g., Cyprinidea: carps, minnows). Carassius auratus (common goldfish) were exposed to nominal concentrations of 0 µg/L, 100 µg/L, or 200 µg/L (actual concentrations: 0 µg/L, 121 µg/L and 208 µg/L) of acetaminophen for 120 h and 216 h to assess the effects on their feeding rate and movement. After 120 h the feeding rate of fish exposed to 208 µg/L of acetaminophen was significantly higher than the other treatments, and after 216 h there was no difference across treatments. Acetaminophen had no effects on fish movement. The observed differences in feeding rate after 120 h may be attributed to the effects of acetaminophen on serotonergic pathways (i.e., serotonin activation duration), which influence fish aggression, movement, and feeding. Since increased feeding rates may alter ecosystem structure, function, and nutrient availability, future research is needed to determine the effects of chronic acetaminophen exposure on C. auratus and other aquatic organisms.