Copper uptake by two sympatric species of Killifish Fundulus heteroclitus (L.) and F. majalis (Walbaum)

Differential copper uptake within brain, visceral, gill, somatic and residual tissue was examined in the two sympatric species of killifishes Fundulus heteroclitus and F. majalis . Various salinities and copper concentrations were tested on both juvenile and adult stages to examine their effects on copper uptake. Salinity played a significant role in copper uptake in both species of killifishes. However, the effect of salinity was specific for each species and life history stage. Copper content of various tissues was directly related to the uptake pattern exhibited by whole adult fishes. Fundulus majalis brain tissue and F. heteroclitus muscle tissue were exceptions. Severe body lesions and subcutaneous haemorrhaging were observed after 2–3 day exposure to both 2 and 8 ppm copper.