BIOACCUMULATION OF METALS BY THE SOUTHERN MOUTHBROODER, PSEUDOCRENILABRUS-PHILANDER (WEBER, 1897) FROM A MINE-POLLUTED IMPOUNDMENT

The bioaccumulation of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni and Pb by the cichlid Pseudo crenilabrus philander from a mine-polluted impoundment in the Transvaa l was investigated. With the exception of Fe, all the other metals wer e accumulated in higher concentrations in the tissues of the fish than those in the sediments of the lake, with the highest bioconcentration factor being 8.54 for Zn. Results also showed that there was an inver se relationship between metal concentration and body mass of the fish, with the smaller juvenile fish being better able to concentrate all t he metals per equivalent body mass than was the case for the larger, a dult fish. This phenomenon is linked to a superior bioregulation mecha nism for metals by the larger older fish, as well as the relatively hi gher metabolic rate of the younger juvenile fish.