Sublethal effect of ammonia on certain biochemical and haematological indicators in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) fry were exposed for 3 weeks to a sublethal concentration of ammonia (0.102 +/- 0.059 mg NH3/dm3). Ammonia induced considerable changes in the level of free amino acids and unfavourable changes in the blood, i.e. leucopaenia and eosinophy. The observed increase of the concentration of most amino acids in fish intoxicated with NH3 suggests that the process reflects detoxication of ammonia which takes place both in the brain and muscles.