ARS | Publication request: Effectiveness of copper sulfate, potassium permanganate, and peracetic acid to reduce mortality and infestation of ichthyobodo nector in channel catfish ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque 1818)

Submitted to: Aquaculture Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 25, 2012
Publication Date: March 12, 2012
Citation: Farmer, B.D., Straus, D.L., Beck, B.H., Mitchell, A.J., Freeman, D.W., Meinelt, T. 2012. Effectiveness of copper sulfate, potassium permanganate, and peracetic acid to reduce mortality and infestation of ichthyobodo nector in channel catfish ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque 1818). Aquaculture Research. Available: doi:10.1111/j.1365-2109.2012.03118.x.

Interpretive Summary: Ichthyobodo necator is a parasite, and can causes significant mortality in young fish. Copper sulfate (CuSO4), potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and peracetic acid (PAA) were evaluated for effectiveness against this parasite. Treatments were applied three times on three consecutive days. The study was designed to simulate systems used in aquaculture facilities producing juvenile channel catfish. Fish deaths were counted daily to compare survival rate among treatments. Parasite load was assessed before treatment and after the third treatment to determine effectiveness of the treatment. A parasite load count was also done seven days after the last treatment to see if the parasite load had increased. Copper sulfate, KMnO4, and PAA reduced the number of I. necator. However, only copper sulfate improved the survival of channel catfish after three treatments.

Technical Abstract: Ichthyobodo necator is a single celled bi-flagellate parasite, and in high density can causes significant mortality in young fish. Copper sulfate (CuSO4), potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and peracetic acid (PAA) were evaluated for effectiveness against ichthyobodosis. Treatments were: untreated control, 2.1 mg L-1 CuSO4, 3.0 mg L-1 KMnO4, 1.5 mg L-1 PAA, and 3.0 mg L-1 PAA, and were applied flow-through on three consecutive days. The study was designed to simulate the flow-through systems containing juvenile channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) are often reared. Mortality was monitored daily to compare survival rate among treatments. Parasite intensity was assessed pre chemical exposure and 20-24h after the third treatment to determine effectiveness of the treatment. An assessment was also done seven days post treatment to investigate possible reoccurrence. Copper sulfate, KMnO4, and PAA (3.0 mg L-1) significantly reduced the infestation rate of I. necator. Copper sulfate significantly improved the survival of I. necator infested channel catfish after three flow-through treatments compared to the untreated control.