AN INCIDENCE OF FIBROMA IN A CATFISH. HETEROPNEUSTES FOSSILIS (BLOCH) CAUGHT FROM THE LOWER LAKE, BHOPAL

The Lower Lake of Bhopal is heavily polluted water body. An assessment of the impact of pollution on fish health was made. Besides the occurrence of other diseases, only one case of fibroma was recorded in Heteropneustes fossilis. Two tumours were located one on either mid-lateral side at the base of the caudal fin, approximately opposite to each other. Each of the tumours measured about 1.3 cm in length and 1.1 cm in girth. Histologically these tumours were composed of connective tissue which has given rise to a large number of whorl-like structures. On the basis of their origin from the mesenchymal connective tissue, the tumours are identified as fibromas. They were non-malignant.