Pathological Changes in a Marine Fish After a 6-Month Exposure to Petroleum

Abstract

Cunners (Tautogolabrus adspersus) were chronically exposed to Venezuelan crude in a flow-through seawater system. The survival rate was > 95%. The following parameters were examined: appearance of fish and internal organs from a series of color photographs; fish condition index; hematocrit; somatic indices of liver, heart, spleen, and gonads; eye lens diameter; and plasma chloride. Liver, kidney, heart, spleen, gonad, gill, muscle, and gut tissues were also examined from paraffin sections for pathological changes. There were significant differences in testis somatic index, lens diameter, and plasma chloride between the two fish groups. No histopatbological changes were observed. Key words: marine fish, petroleum, chronic exposure, pathological changes