The extensive use of pesticides to improve agricultural yield has raised serious environmental concerns, particularly in aquatic ecosystems. Pesticides comprise a wide range of chemical substances applied to control pests in agricultural and domestic settings; however, only a minimal proportion reaches the intended targets, while the majority is dispersed into the surrounding environment. Owing to their chemical stability and resistance to degradation, these compounds persist for extended periods and accumulate in soil and water bodies.

Aquatic environments receive pesticide inputs mainly through surface runoff, leaching, and drift, leading to contamination of freshwater systems. Fish are highly sensitive to such pollutants and are widely recognized as reliable bioindicators of water quality. Exposure to pesticide residues results in their accumulation within fish tissues, producing multiple adverse effects. These include disruptions in physiological processes, altered behaviour, changes in haematological and biochemical parameters, tissue damage, immune suppression, endocrine imbalance, reproductive impairment, and genetic damage.