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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #227490
Title: SCP is Comparable to Hydrogen Peroxide as a Catfish Egg Disinfectant

Author
item Small, Brian

Submitted to: Global Aquaculture Advocate
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/25/2008
Publication Date: 11/1/2008
Citation: Small, B.C. 2008. Scp is comparable to hydrogen peroxide as a catfish egg disinfectant. Global Aquaculture Advocate.

Interpretive Summary: Fungal egg infections are a significant problem for commercial channel catfish hatcheries. Prior to this year, formalin was the only U.S. FDA-approved aquaculture drug for the control of fungi on fish eggs. However, formalin is disliked by many catfish producers because of its smell and perceived carcinogenicity. The recent FDA-approval of 35% PEROX AID® for treating fungi on fish eggs gave catfish producers an alternative to formalin. Unfortunately, it too has not been well received by commercial hatchery staff because, as a strong liquid oxidant, hydrogen peroxide irritates and burns the skin. As a free-flowing granular substance, sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate (SCP) was identified as a potential alternative to liquid hydrogen peroxide. SCP is made by combining two molecules of sodium carbonate with three molecules of hydrogen peroxide, thus yielding a 32% hydrogen peroxide compound. In our studies, catfish egg masses treated with SCP at concentrations yielding optimal hydrogen peroxide concentrations had no visible fungus and significantly improved hatch rates. SCP proved to be an attractive alternative to both formalin and hydrogen peroxide for use in fish hatcheries and deserves further research in support of registration as an approved aquaculture drug.

Technical Abstract: Fungal egg infections are a significant problem for commercial channel catfish hatcheries. Dead eggs and other organic matter in hatchery culture systems provide excellent substrates for fungi. Without chemotherapeutic treatment, these pathogens quickly overtake the egg mass and significantly reduce embryo survival. Although other chemical therapeutants, such as formalin and hydrogen peroxide, are available, concerns of safety exist among users. As an alternative, sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate (SCP) is an effective egg disinfectant, and its use significantly improves channel catfish hatch rates. Furthermore, it is a free-flowing granular solid and therefore easier to handle and store than liquid hydrogen peroxide. SCP could also be considered environmentally friendly since it decomposes into water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. In two studies, SCP treatments were administered to channel catfish eggs, and comparisons were made to hydrogen peroxide treatment treatment. SCP treatment of catfish eggs at the optimal determined concentration resulted in no visible fungus on the egg mass and significantly higher hatch rates. SCP is an attractive alternative to both formalin and hydrogen peroxide for use in fish hatcheries and suggests further research is needed in support of registration of SCP as an approved aquaculture drug.