Author
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Mitchell, Andrew |
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Submitted to: Catfish Farmers of Arkansas
Publication Type: Other Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2000 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Catfish trematodes are flat worms with complex life cycles involving three hosts: birds, fish and snails. The trematode infects catfish in three states, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana, and has progressed from one farm in 1994 to more than 15 in 1999. Although usually not a serious pathogen it can kill most of the catfish in a pond in less than one week. There are no practical treatments for the parasite therefore, in order to prevent infestations of these worms, one of the hosts must be eliminated or greatly reduced in numbers. Legal as well as practical and economic considerations cause trematode control studies to focus on snails. Researchers at the Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center have tested several molluscicides against the rams horn snail (the snail carrying the catfish trematode). Metaldehyde, niclosamide, Hydrothol? 191 and a copper sulfate/citric acid combination have been tested. The most promising results have come with the copper sulfate/citric acid combination when applied as a shoreline treatment around the ponds perimeter. Ten pounds of copper sulfate mixed with one pound of citric acid and 70 gallon of water applied to 250 linear feet in a six-foot band eliminated 86% of the snails in 96 hr. Further testing is planned. |
