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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #199228

Title: THE ACUTE TOXICITY OF PRAZIQUANTEL TO GRASS CARP AND GOLDEN SHINERS

Author
item Mitchell, Andrew
item Hobbs, Melissa

Submitted to: North American Journal of Aquaculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/23/2006
Publication Date: 7/13/2007
Citation: Mitchell, A.J., Hobbs, M.S. 2007. The acute toxicity of praziquantel to grass carp and golden shiners. North American Journal of Aquaculture. 69:203-206.

Interpretive Summary: Praziquantel kills tapeworm and trematode parasites in fish. Although there is efficacy data on how much chemical it takes to kill the worms in these fish there is no data on the toxicity of this chemical to grass carp or golden shiners when applied in the water. This study has determine the amount of praziquantel that will kill 50% of the grass carp (averaging 9.1 g in weight) and golden shiners (averaging 1.3 g in weight) in a 24-h and 96-h exposure period to praziquantel; these are called either 24-h or 96-h LC50s. Also the highest levels that will kill none of the fish, the No Observable Effect Concentration (NOEC), were also determined for 24-h and 96-h. The 24- and 96-h LC50 values for golden shiners were 55.1 and 49.7 mg/L and for grass carp were 63.4 and 60.6 mg/L, respectively. The 24- and 96-h NOEC for the survival of golden shiners were 50 and 45.0 mg/L and for grass carp were 60.0 and 60.0 mg/L, respectively.

Technical Abstract: Acute praziquantel toxicity and no observable effect concentrations (NOEC), were determined in the laboratory for grass carp and golden shiners, two commercially raised cyprinids known to harbor Asian tapeworm Bothriocephalus acheilognathi. Praziquantel is an anthelmintic used to treat fish with tapeworms. The 24- and 96-h LC50 values for golden shiners (1.3 g) were 55.1 and 49.7 mg/L and for grass carp (9.1 g) were 63.4 and 60.6 mg/L, respectively. The 24- and 96-h no observable effect concentrations for the survival of golden shiners were 50 and 45.0 mg/L and for grass carp were 60.0 and 60.0 mg/L, respectively.