A comprehensive acute toxicity trial was conducted using a static water system to study the toxic effect of ammonia on haematology and enzyme profiles of Cirrhinus mrigala H. The LC50 of total ammonia‐nitrogen (TAN) was 11.8 mg L−1 TAN (1.029 mg L−1 NH3‐N). The sub‐lethal test revealed that with increasing concentration of TAN, the total erythrocyte counts were reduced in lower concentrations (1–4 mg L−1 TAN) followed by higher levels in fish exposed to higher concentrations (8–16 mg L−1 TAN). In contrast, the total leucocyte counts were opposite. With increasing concentration of TAN, haemoglobin and serum protein content were reduced, whereas the blood glucose level increased. As the concentration of ammonia increased, there was a reduction in acetylecholinesterase activity in the brain and liver; alkaline phosphatase activity in the serum, brain and gill; and acid phosphatase (ACP) activity in the gill. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase in the gill, liver, kidney and brain increased with increased concentration of ammonia. In addition, activities of ACP in the serum and brain, alanine aminotransferase in the serum, brain and gill, and aspartate aminotransferase in the serum, brain and gill were increased.

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