Acute Toxicity of Bispyribac Sodium on the Survival of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Juveniles and its Implications for Food Safety

Background and Objective: The increasing use of Bispyribac sodium in agriculture raises concerns about its potential toxicity to non-target aquatic species.However, information on its acute effects on Clarias gariepinus juveniles, a widely cultured food fish, remains limited.This study assessed the acute toxicity of Bispyribac sodium to C. gariepinus juveniles and examined associated changes in water physicochemical parameters.Materials and Methods: Juvenile C. gariepinus were exposed for 96 hrs to five concentrations of Bispyribac sodium (0.59, 0.88, 1.31, 1.97, and 2.95 mg/L) and a control (0.00 mg/L).Each treatment contained ten fish in replicated 70-L bowls filled with 20 L of water.Mortality was recorded upon cessation of gill movement and lack of response to gentle prodding.Water quality parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids) were measured using a HANNA multiparameter meter.Mortality data were analyzed to estimate the 96 hrs LC 50 using probit analysis, with treatment effects assessed by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's test (α = 0.05), and all analyses were conducted in SPSS v25.Results: Mortality increased with concentration, ranging from 20% at 0.59 mg/L to 75% at 2.95 mg/L, with no mortality in the control.The 96 hrs LC 50 was 1.658 mg/L (95% CI: 1.204-2.289mg/L), indicating a strong dose-dependent relationship (Probit = 2.1874×LogC+4.5189,R 2 = 0.9552).Significant changes (p