Chronic effects of the veterinary antibiotic florfenicol in lab-exposed embryo-larval fathead minnows

Florfenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat bacterial diseases in farmed animals including fish, cows, and pigs. Concentrations of up to 3.4 micrograms per liter (µg/L) have been detected in waterways downstream of farming activities. This study examined the toxicity effects of various concentrations of florfenicol on the embryo-larval stage of the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). Fathead minnows were exposed to the antibiotic from zero (0) days post fertilization (dpf) to sixteen (16) days post hatch (dph). Endpoints measured include hatch success, time to hatch, deformities at hatch, survival and growth. Measurements were taken at nine (9) dph and sixteen (16) dph. There were no significant differences found for any of the parameters between the control and the treatment groups. A manuscript is in progress using these data and will be published in the near future. Supplemental Information The Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) is a Government of Canada initiative aimed at reducing the risks posed by chemicals to Canadians and their environment. A key element of the Chemicals Management Plan is the monitoring and surveillance of levels of harmful chemicals in…

Publisher

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Resources

2

Catalogue metadata updated

2025-03-12