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Title: Effect of tricaine methanesulfonate on survival and reproduction of fish ectoparasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

Author
item Xu, Dehai
item Shoemaker, Craig
item Klesius, Phillip

Submitted to: Parasitology Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/19/2008
Publication Date: 6/16/2008
Citation: Xu, D., Shoemaker, C.A., Klesius, P.H. 2008. Effect of tricaine methanesulfonate on survival and reproduction of fish ectoparasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. Parasitology Research. 103:979-982.

Interpretive Summary: The ectoparasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich) is a common parasite of catfish and tilapia. Ichthyophthirius is subjected to exposure to tricaine methanesulfonate (a fish anesthetic) while the fish is anesthetized for parasite collection. No information is available on the effects of tricaine exposure to Ich. This study determined the effects of tricaine methanesulfonate on the survival and reproduction of Ich. No differences were noted in survival and reproduction of parasite collected from fish anesthetized using unbuffered or buffered tricaine. The survival and reproduction of the parasite were not influenced when exposed to low concentration (0-150 mg/l) of unbuffered or buffered tricaine. A prolonged exposure (>12 h) to high concentration of tricaine (300 mg/l) significantly reduced the parasite survival. Tricaine is commonly used in channel catfish at concentrations of 100-120 mg/l. Results of the current study demonstrated that tricaine had no adverse effect on parasite survival and reproduction when used at concentrations and exposure times required for fish anesthetization. The use of tricaine in Ich collection makes it easy to handle fish, decreases fish stress and improves fish well-being.

Technical Abstract: The fish ectoparasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich) is subjected to exposure to tricaine while the fish is anesthetized / euthanized for parasite collection. No information is available on the effects of tricaine exposure to Ich. This study determined the effects of tricaine methanesulfonate on the survival and reproduction of Ich. Statistical differences were not noted in survival and reproduction of tomonts collected from fish anesthetized using unbuffered or buffered tricaine and fish without using tricaine. No statistical difference was found on numbers of theronts released from each tomont exposed to 0-150 mg/l unbuffered or buffered tricaine. At prolonged exposure (>12 h), high concentration of tricaine (300 mg/l) significantly reduced tomont survival, regardless of the solutions were buffered or not. A pH change in water from 7 to 5 did not influence tomont survival and reproduction. Development time required from tomont to theront was not affected when tomonts were exposed to unbuffered, buffered or no tricaine. Results of the current study demonstrated that tricaine had no adverse effect on tomont survival and reproduction when used at concentrations and exposure time required for fish anesthetization.