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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #231811
Title: Effects of Smallmouth Buffalo and Potassium Permanganate Treatment on Plankton ans Pond Water Quality

Author
item MISCHKE, C - MISS. STATE UNIVERSITY
item Zimba, Paul

Submitted to: North American Journal of Aquaculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/16/2002
Publication Date: 6/1/2002
Citation: Mischke, C.C., Zimba, P.V. 2002. Effects of Smallmouth Buffalo and Potassium Permanganate Treatment on Plankton and Pond Water Quality. North American Journal of Aquaculture. 68:36-40.

Interpretive Summary: Two methods of disease control in ponds are biological and chemical treatment. We evaluated each for control of dero worms, an intermediate host of disease in channel catfish. Both treatments were successful in reducing snail populations. The chemical treatment additionally affected the zooplankton population, which would impact fry surivival.

Technical Abstract: Removal of intermediate hosts is one option for control of disease in channel catfish production systems. We evaluated use of predaceous fish (smallmouth buffalo) and chemical treatment (potassium permanganate) to remove snails that serve as hosts protecting Dero worms. Both methods of treatment reduced snail populations effectively, however the use of the chemical treartment reduced zooplankton populations. The use of potassium permanganate would reduce food resources for fry stocked in treated ponds.