Piscicides primarily work by interfering with the fish's what process?

Piscicides primarily work by interfering with the fish's cellular respiration. These substances are designed to disrupt the respiratory processes within fish, which can lead to suffocation and death. Cellular respiration is essential for the conversion of nutrients into energy, allowing fish to survive and perform vital functions. When piscicides target this process, they effectively inhibit the fish's ability to process oxygen, leading to their demise.

The other options, while relevant to fish health, do not accurately describe the primary mechanism by which piscicides operate. Nutrient absorption refers to how fish take in and utilize food, which is not directly targeted by piscicides. Osmoregulation involves maintaining water and salt balance within the fish, a function that's also not the main focus of how piscicides act. Growth development pertains to the physical and biological growth of fish, which is not the primary interference caused by these chemicals.