Abstract
Heavy metal pollution in aquatic systems has become a major problem on a global scale. Many heavy metals are regarded as essential nutrients that aid in fish growth and more effective feed utilization. However, when these metal concentrations rise over the maximum amount that can be tolerated, they disrupt ecological processes and jeopardize human and fish health. Fish are dangerous due to lead contamination in their body. Lead causes toxicity because it is long-lasting and non-biodegradable in the environment. This review looked at the impact of heavy metals on fish early development, growth, and reproduction. Fish embryos and larvae, as well as each developmental stage of the embryo, react to intoxication differently and vary between species. Lead poisoning has been linked to decreased gonad somatic index (GSI), fecundity, hatching rate, fertilization success, aberrant form of reproductive organs, and ultimately loss of reproduction in fish. In summary, this review aims to increase awareness of the prevention and control of aquatic environmental pollution while shedding insight on how heavy metals manipulate fish physiology; the review also gives the valid concerns regarding potential impacts of deteriorating conditions of aquatic environment and their surroundings as well as impacts on fish species and from the food chain it invades ecosystem dynamics.