Author
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Mitchell, Andrew |
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Submitted to: International Aquatic Animal Health Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 5/4/2006 Publication Date: 9/3/2006 Citation: Mitchell, A.J. 2006. Chemical and biological control of the rams-horn snail in commercial fish ponds. International Aquatic Animal Health Symposium Proceedings. p.189. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Trematodes can cause massive infections in fish. The most promising approach for the control of these infections is the reduction or elimination of snails that vector these parasites. This poster is a summary of information from several research efforts aimed at controlling rams-horn snails in commercial fish ponds. Chemicals known to kill snails were evaluated as potential pond shoreline treatments (concentrated chemicals applied to the water in 1 or 2 m bands around the ponds margins) and whole pond treatments (chemical uniformly distributed throughout the entire water body) treatments. Mollusk-eating fish were also evaluated. Snail reductions of greater than 90% were achieved with pond-shoreline treatments of copper sulfate pentahydrate (CSP) (59 g/linear m in a 2 m wide band) and hydrated lime (1.5 kg/linear m in a 1 m wide band). A whole pond application of up to 5 mg/L (CSP) proved effective in reducing snail numbers; however, should only be considered for use in ponds with a high total alkalinity and hardness (>200 mg/L) and where the prognosis is poor if no treatment is given (i.e., some fish may die as a result of the treatment. Only the black carp readily consumed all sizes of the rams-horn snails in tanks. Black carp shipments are restricted to Arkansas and Mississippi and under special arrangement to a few other states. Mention of chemicals used to control snails and use of black carp does not imply endorsement by the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. |
