Water is the universal solvent which is of prime importance to both plants and animals. Being a natural resource, river water is being contaminated by the industrial discharge, effluents from factories and by anthropogenic sources. Heavy metal pollution is the major factor in affecting the health of living beings. Downstream site of Varahanadhi river is polluted with heavy metals like chromium, cadmium, lead and arsenic. Haematological parameters are considered as an indicator of physiological and pathological changes in fishes.Blood was collected from the caudal vein of fish species Rohu (Labeorohita) andTilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)collected from upstream, midstream and downstream sites of Varahanadhi river and from control.RBC, Hb, PCV, MCH, MCHC levels were found to be significantly reduced in all fish species collected from downstream site of Varahanadhi river compared to upstream, midstream and control fishes.The level of WBC was found to be slightly increased in fishes of downstream site compared to other sites and control. These altered levels of hematological parameters indicated the effect of pollutants to the life of piscine.

Rohu, Tilapia, Haemotology, Heavy metals, Varahanadhi river