Comparative Effects of Copper Sulfate or Potassium Permanganate on Channel Catfish Concurrently Infected with Flavobacterium columnare and Ichthyobodo necator

Abstract

A study was conducted to compare the effects of two chemical therapeutants on channel catfish (CCF) Ictalurus punctatus concurrently infected with Flavobacterium columnare and Ichthyobodo necator. Copper sulfate (CuSO₄) and potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) were investigated for their ability to reduce the bacterial load, parasite load, and subsequent mortality. Treatment rates of CuSO₄ or KMnO₄ were 2.1 mg/L and 3.0 mg/L, respectively, and were applied at 24 h intervals on three consecutive days and control fish were untreated. Fin and gill samples were taken on day 4 (24 h after the final treatment) and day 10 (one week after the final treatment) for quantification of parasite and bacterial load. The survival rate of CuSO₄-treated fish (73.0 %) was significantly different from the untreated control fish (41.5%). KMnO₄-treated fish was (53.6%) and not significantly different from untreated control or CuSO₄-treated fish. I. necator loads were significantly reduced by both CuSO₄ and KMnO_4, but only CuSO₄ significantly reduced the F. columnare load.

KEYWORDS:

• Copper sulfate
• potassium permanganate
• Flavobacterium columnare
• Ichthyobodo necator