Author
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Small, Brian |
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Submitted to: Global Aquaculture Advocate
Publication Type: Popular Publication Publication Acceptance Date: 7/22/2003 Publication Date: 8/1/2003 Citation: Small, B.C. 2003. Hydrogen peroxide treatments improve catfish embryo survival. Global Aquaculture Advocate. 6(4):29-30. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Fungal and bacterial egg infections can be a significant problem for channel catfish hatcheries. Dead eggs and other organic matter in hatchery culture systems provide excellent substrates for fungi and bacteria. Without chemotherapeutic treatment, these pathogens quickly overtake the egg mass and significantly reduce embryo survival. Although other chemical therapeutants, such as formalin, are available, concerns of safety exist among users. As an alternative, hydrogen peroxide is an effective egg disinfectant, and its use significantly improves channel catfish embryo survival. Furthermore, it is FDA approved as a low regulatory priority aquaculture drug, and is considered environmentally friendly since it decomposes into water and oxygen. In several studies, static bath and flush treatments were administered to channel catfish eggs, effect of water temperature was assessed, and comparisons were made to formalin treatment. Hydrogen peroxide treatment of catfish eggs at the optimal concentrations as determined resulted in up to 40% higher embryo survival rates. Considering 1.6 billion catfish fry are hatched annually in the United States, proper treatment of catfish eggs with hydrogen peroxide could potentially yield an increase of 480 million fry for the industry. |
