3:27p.m. 12th January 2009

| By Nicola Kerkenezov

A close up view of the two-headed fish embryo. Photo: Contributed

Reports of hundreds of thousands of two-head fish being born at a Sunshine Coast hatchery have prompted an expert to call for the ban of certain agricultural chemicals.

Fish veterinarian Doctor Matt Landos is calling for urgent bans and testing of agriculture chemicals he believes caused the birth of mutant two-headed bass at Boreen Point.

The University of Sydney honorary lecturer and research associate said mature bass caught from the Noosa River in August and their eggs were used as part of a restocking program at a hatchery.

About 90% of larvae that hatched from the eggs had two heads and died within two days, he said.

“They are being born with two heads – it is just striking,” Dr Landos said.

“It is possible the contamination is in the catchment where routine macadamia production involves legal use of occasional chemical sprays."

Dr Landos, who is also principal of the Future Fisheries Veterinary Services, believed chemical spray drift or run off was affecting the fish their larvae.

“This chemical – carbendazim – was removed from use in the US in 2001 for its effects on reproduction in humans."

Claims about two-headed fish

An Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries spokeswoman said a macadamia farm was being investigated.

"The initial investigation, which began a couple of years ago, was discontinued because no breaches of chemical use could be identified, and there was a lack of evidence to support further actions," she said.

"The investigation was reopened late last year when new complaints about fish health were reported.

"A fish pathologist and an aquaculture officer promptly visited the fish hatchery in December to undertake a thorough assessment of fish health.

"Samples of the pond water at the hatchery came back negative for chemical residues."

She said further test results were due in February.