In this study, the protective effect of zeolite added to water on tilapias exposed to sub-lethal concentration of copper was investigated. Treatments were copper, copper + zeolite, zeolite and control. During the experiment, fish growth by weight and length, copper accumulation in liver, and muscle protein ratios were measured. BUN, LDH, glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride parameters of blood were also measured by taken monthly blood samples. The greatest increase in weight was observed in zeolite treatment by 68.8%. Liver copper accumulations were 12.6; 10.8; 1.27 and 1.33 ppm for the copper, copper + zelite, zeolite and control treatment, respectively. Although, BUN, LDH, cholesterol of copper + zeolite treatment were lower, triglyceride and glucose levels were higher comparing to control group (p<0.05). Muscle protein ratios decreased in all treatments at the end of the study. No adverse effects of zeolite treatment for fish were observed. According to these results, zeolite treatment against copper toxicity in tilapia would be recommended.

In this study, the protective effect of zeolite added to water on tilapias exposed to sub-lethal concentration of copper was investigated. Treatments were copper, copper + zeolite, zeolite and control. During the experiment, fish growth by weight and length, copper accumulation in liver, and muscle protein ratios were measured. BUN, LDH, glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride parameters of blood were also measured by taken monthly blood samples. The greatest increase in weight was observed in zeolite treatment by 68.8%. Liver copper accumulations were 12.6; 10.8; 1.27 and 1.33 ppm for the copper, copper + zelite, zeolite and control treatment, respectively. Although, BUN, LDH, cholesterol of copper + zeolite treatment were lower, triglyceride and glucose levels were higher comparing to control group (p<0.05). Muscle protein ratios decreased in all treatments at the end of the study. No adverse effects of zeolite treatment for fish were observed. According to these results, zeolite treatment against copper toxicity in tilapia would be recommended.