Exposure of Aquarium Fish to Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) with Special Reference to Toxicity and Effects on Uptake of Radioactive Dyes. ∗

Summary

The LD₅₀ concentration of DMSO was found to be 1.9% in the case of glow tetras, neon tetras, guppies, mollies and tetras. Zebras and catfish appear to tolerate higher concentration of DMSO. In addition to the species differences, a striking increase in sensitivity to DMSO was noted in males. In almost every instance, all male fish died before the first female succumbed. No consistent difference in uptake of radioactive labeled dyes was noted in a group of fish exposed to DMSO when compared with a control group of fish not exposed to DMSO.