rotenone

a fish poison derived from the roots of the jewel vine plant, Derris ellipitca, D. lagensis, D. malaccensis, and D. uliginosa (Leguminosae). Lacepod (Lonchocarpus utilis and L. uruca), the yam-bean (Pachyrhizus erosus) and hoary pea (Tephrosia spp.) are also used. Often used to eliminate unwanted fishes from waters before stocking with game fish and by ichthyologists as a a collecting tool. It acts as a respiratory toxin, adversely affecting mitochondrial action by blocking electron transport - the fish asphyxiate. Available under many trade names. Other piscicidal plant chemicals include callicarpone, huratoxin, ichthyothereol, inophyllolide, juglone, justicidin, maingayic acid, and vibsanine, all q.v