Dureshahwar1, Sajid Abdullah1*, Khalid Abbas1, Muhammad Shahbaz2
1Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
2Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
*Corresponding author’s email: drsajid@uaf.edu.pk
Received: 09 June 2026 / Revised: 30 September 2026 / Accepted: 15 October 2026 / Published Online: 28 October 2026
Abstract
Widespread use of fipronil threatens non-target aquatic species while sustainable aquaculture is a significant solution for global food security. The present research investigated the protective effects of carotenoids on fish Cirrhinus mrigala, and Catla catla, during 1/3rd LC50 of fipronil exposure. A three-month experiment was conducted with five dietary carotenoid treatment (Lycopene and Astaxanthin) i.e. (T1, 100 mg/kg LYC), (T2, 200 mg/kg LYC), (T3, 100 mg/kg ASX), (T4, 200 mg/kg ASX), (T5 100 mg/kg LYC + 100 mg/kg ASX) and (T0, fipronil without carotenoids). All these six groups were exposed to 1/3rd LC50 of fipronil insecticide with LC50 values ranging from 5-8μgL-1 for experimental fish species. Results revealed that the higher LYC (T2) and ASX (T4) doses improved growth and reduce FCR in both species). The combination of both carotenoids (LYC100 mg\kg + ASX100 mg\kg) in T5 showed the highest weight gain, (138.4± 0.976) and (122.76±1.183) for Mori and Thaila respectively. The Lysozyme, IgM and WBCs were significantly increased (P<0.05) with LYC and ASX supplementation as compared to fipronil exposed group. Antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, SOD, and POD) were highest in liver of both fish species among all other organs. Enzymes level were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in T0 due to fipronil toxicity while carotenoid based diet showed improved antioxidant profile with highest (P<0.05) values in T5 fed with combination of carotenoids. Therefore, these findings suggest that LYC and ASX supplementation particularly their combined use, alleviated fipronil toxicity in fish.
Keywords: Fipronil toxicity, Carotenoids, Astaxanthin, Lycopene, Growth, Antioxidant enzymes, Immunity, Cirrhinus mrigala, Catla catla
