Effect of sublethal levels of nitrite on some blood parameters of juvenile Labeo rohita (Hamilton-buchanan).

Juveniles of L. rohita were exposed to sublethal levels of nitrite (0.02, 0.1 and 0.4 mg/l) for 2, 24, 48 and 96 hr. The time of exposure at individual concentrations of nitrite did not show any significant difference in haemoglobin, cortisol, chloride and lactic acid. Haematocrit showed significant reduction with increasing concentration of nitrite irrespective of duration of exposure. Fishes exposed to 0.4 mg/l nitrite showed significantly high levels of glucose beyond 2 hr. The mean erythrocytic fragility of fishes exposed to the 3 concentrations of nitrite for 3 exposure periods showed significant higher sensitivity to osmotic stress. The results suggest decrease in haematocrit and cell wall strength of erythrocytes creating stress to fish.