Efficacy of hydrogen peroxide to reduce Gyrodactylus species infestation density on four fish species

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThe ability to effectively treat parasitic infestations of fish is of high importance for fish culture facilities. However, tools or approved therapies for treating infestations on fish are limited. This paper summarizes results from four separate clinical field studies that evaluated the efficacy of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2; 35% PEROX‐AID) for reducing Gyrodactylus spp. infestation density.MethodsThree species of Gyrodactylus were studied (G. salmonis, hosts: Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis and Lake Trout S. namaycush; G. freemani, host: Yellow Perch Perca flavescens; G. hoffmani, host: Fathead Minnow Pimephales promelas) before and after the application of immersion H2O2 therapy.ResultParasite density was significantly reduced for each parasite × host combination to which H2O2 therapy was applied. Two clinical field studies in salmonids were found to demonstrate substantial effectiveness that enabled 35% PEROX‐AID approval.ConclusionFurther assessments of Gyrodactylus spp. could expand the use of H2O2 for controlling these parasites in aquaculture. Specifically, H2O2 was effective at all levels tested (50 or 75 mg H2O2/L for 60 min for the Yellow Perch and Fathead Minnow clinical field studies; 100 or 150 mg H2O2/L for 30 min regardless of salt pre‐treatment for the Brook Trout study; and 100 mg H2O2/L for 30 min or 50 mg H2O2/L for 60 min for the Lake Trout study).