Aqua Drugs, Antibiotics and Chemicals Used in Freshwater Aquaculture in Northern Bangladesh: A Survey

Abstract

Aquaculture is the most vital, dynamic, and rapidly expanding food-producing sector in comparison to other food-producing industries. Nevertheless, aquaculture output is impeded by a number of viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseases. In order to comprehend the current circumstances of the use of chemicals and antibiotics for the management of fish health in freshwater aquaculture in the northern region of Bangladesh, the current investigation was carried out. Through questionnaire interviews, a market survey, and focus group discussions with the intended target group, data was collected. A comprehensive outline of various chemicals, antibiotics, and aqua drugs frequently used in freshwater aquaculture in the northern region of Bangladesh have been provided in the present study. These drugs and chemicals have been recorded to be applied in freshwater aquaculture for a variety of purposes, including disease treatment, growth enhancement, water quality improvement, and oxygen level improvement. Mostly, Bioaqua, Zeolite, Zeolite Geotox, Aquakleen, Aquaboost, Pond Life, Zeo Prime were used for water quality management; Oxy more, Aqua oxygen, Bio Care, Oxyflow to improve dissolve oxygen level; Aqua bind, Nutrimax, Protox aqua, Aquazyme, Megavit-Aqua, Aqua Boost, Aqua-C as growth promoter; ; Polgard Plus, Virex, Timsen as disinfectant; Oxysentin 20%, Bactitab, Malachite Green, Formalin, Aquamycine, Renamox 15%-vet, Acimox (vet) Powder, Cipro-A vet, Ciproflox were used against the prevalence of fish diseases. The improper utilization of aquatic drugs has been linked to various concerns, including inadequate information regarding chemical usage, insufficient dosage, improper application technique, and indiscriminate antibiotic usage.