THE EFFECT OF SHORT-TERM WATER CONTAMINATION WITH HEAVY METALS ON FOOD UPTAKE RATE OF COMMON CARP LARVAE

The effects of heavy metal exposures on feeding activity of common carp larvae were measured (as number of Artemia nauplii consumed within 10 minutes). The fish were exposed during embryonic or larval development to copper, cadmium, or mix of both metals (Cu - 0.2 mg /l, Cd - 0.2 mg /l, Mix - 0.1 mg/l of Cu + 0.1 mg/l of Cd). The results show that feeding activity increased with the age of larvae. Both, embryonic and larval exposures to heavy metals considerably impaired feeding activity of the larvae. Copper, both in single and mixed exposures was the most toxic. The adverse effect of exposure to heavy metals during embryonic development decreased with the age of larvae. The suppressive effect of larval exposure initially increased with time, but after some time adaptation was observed.