Fish Diseases and Management

7.2.3 Drug metabolism in fish

Like in mammals, the detoxification of all drugs and chemicals in fish is carried out by liver. Fish carry out most of the Phase I reactions (oxidation, reduction and hydrolysis) similar to that of mammals. Phase II reactions which involve conjugate formation and subsequent excretion are also carried out by fish for a variety of compounds. However, the rate of metabolism is about one tenth of that of the mammals. Temperature optimum for many of these reactions in fish is close to the temperature of the natural environment of the fish.