Sublethal exposure to Microcystis aeruginosa extracts during the yolk-sac larval stage reduces aerobic swimming speed in juvenile zebrafish.

ABSTRACT

This study examined whether the aerobic swimming capacity of zebrafish juveniles is affected by the exposure of the yolk-sac larvae to sublethal concentration of Microcystis aeruginosa extract (200 mg dw L-1). Critical swimming speed significantly decreased in the pre-exposed fish (9.2 ± 1.0 vs 11.3 ± 1.4 TL s-1 in the control group). Exposure did not have any significant effects on the shape of the heart ventricle, rate of skeletal abnormalities, and growth or survival rates. Decreased swimming performance due to the early and short exposure to M. aeruginosa could have negative impacts on fish in the wild.