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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Animal & Veterinary

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A Quick Reference Guide to Approved Drugs for Use in Aquaculture

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 Approved Drugs for Use in Aquaculture Poster

Florfenicol

Chorionic Gonadotropin

Hydrogen Peroxide

Formalin

Sulfadimethoxine & Ormetoprim

Oxytetracycline hydrochloride

Tricaine methanesulfonate

Oxytetracycline dihydrate

Disclaimer

Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Drugs

Prescription Drugs

Extra-Label Use

FDA Information

 

Florfenicol

Aquaflor®
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health Corporation
1-800-521-5767

 SpeciesIndicationsDosingLimitations/Comments
Catfish
 		1) Control of mortality due to enteric septicemia associated with Edwardsiella ictaluri
2) Control of mortality due to columnaris disease associated with Flavobacterium columnare (Conditional Approval)		10 mg Florfenicol per kg fish per day for 10 daysEnteric Septicemia Indication: 

  • Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Drug

  • 12-Day withdrawal time

Columnaris Disease Indication:

  • VFD Drug

  • 12-day withdrawal time

  • Must use AQUAFLOR®-CA1 product

Freshwater-reared Salmonids
 		1) Control of mortality due to furunculosis associated with Aeromonas salmonicida
2) Control of mortality due to coldwater disease associated with F. psychrophilum		10 mg florfenicol per kg fish per day for 10 days

(both indications)

  • VFD Drug
  • 15-day withdrawal time

 

 

Chorionic Gonadotropin

Chorulon®
Intervet, Inc.
1-800-441-8272

SpeciesIndicationsDosingLimitations/Comments
Male and female brood finfish
 		Aid in improving spawning functionMales: 50-510 IU per lb
Females: 67-1816 IU per lb
  • Intramuscular injection
  • Up to three doses. Total dosage not to exceed 25,000 IU in fish intended for human consumption
  • Prescription product restricted to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian
  • 0-day withdrawal time

 


Hydrogen Peroxide

35% PEROX-AID®
Western Chemical, Inc.
1-800-283-5292


 SpeciesIndicationsDosingLimitations/Comments
Freshwater-reared finfish eggsControl of mortality due to saprolegniasis
  • Coldwater and coolwater: 500 - 1,000 mg per L for 15 min in a continuous flow system once per day on consecutive or alternate days until hatch
  • Warmwater: 750 – 1,000 mg per L for 15 min in a continuous flow system once per day on consecutive or alternate days until hatch
     
  • Initial bioassay on a small number of fish is recommended before treating the entire group
  • 0-day withdrawal time
     
Freshwater-reared salmonidsControl of mortality due to bacterial gill disease associated with Flavobacterium branchiophilum100 mg per L for 30 min or 50 - 100 mg per L for 60 min once per day on alternate days for 3 treatments
  • Initial bioassay on a small number of fish is recommended before treating the entire group
  • 0-day withdrawal time
     

Freshwater-reared coolwater finfish and channel catfish		Control of mortality due to external columnaris disease associated with F. columnare
  • Fingerlings and adults: 50 - 75 mg per L for 60 min once per day on alternate days for 3 treatments
  • Fry: 50 mg per L for 60 min once per day on alternate days for 3 treatments
     
  • Initial bioassay on a small number of fish is recommended before treating the entire group
  • Should not be used to treat northern pike or paddlefish (any life-stage) or pallid sturgeon (fry)
  • Use with caution on walleye
  • 0-day withdrawal time

 


Formalin

Parasite-S Western Chemical, Inc. 1-800-283-5292
Formalin-F Natchez Animal Supply Co. 1-800-647-6760
Formacide-B B.L. Mitchell, Inc. 1-800-817-5808
 

 SpeciesIndicationsDosingLimitations/Comments
All finfishControl of external protozoa (species of the genera Chilodonella, Costia, Epistylis, Ichthyophthirius, Scyphidia, and Trichodina), and monogenetic trematodes (species of the genera Cleidodiscus, Dactylogyrus, and Gyrodactylus)
  • Salmon and trout in tanks and raceways:
    • Above 50°F: up to 170 µL per L for up to 1 hr
    • Below 50°F: up to 250 µL per L for up to 1 hr
  • All other finfish up to 250 µL per L for up to 1 hr
  • Earthen ponds: 15-25 µL per L indefinitely
  • Drug must not be subjected to temperatures below 40°F
  • Do not apply to ponds when (1) water is warmer than 80°F, (2) there is a heavy phytoplankton bloom, or (3) dissolved oxygen is less than 5 mg per L
  • Ponds may be retreated in 5 to 10 days if needed
  • Do not treat ponds containing striped bass
  • Test on a small number of fish from each lot to check for any unusual sensitivity to formalin before proceeding
  • 0-day withdrawal time
All finfish eggsControl fungi of the family Saprolegniaceae
  • All finfish eggs: 1,000 - 2,000 µL per L for 15 min
  • Species of the order Acipenseriformes: up to 1,500 µL per L for 15 min
  • Preliminary bioassay should be conducted on a small number of fish to determine species sensitivity
  • 0-day withdrawal time
Penaeid ShrimpControl protozoan parasites (species of the genera Bodo, Epistylis, and Zoothamnium)
  • Tanks and raceways: 50 – 100 µL per L for up to 4 hrs daily
  • Earthen ponds: 25 µL per L as single treatment
  • Drug must not be subjected to temperatures below 40°F
     
  • Do not apply to ponds when (1) water is warmer than 80°F, (2) there is a heavy phytoplankton bloom, or (3) dissolved oxygen is less than 5 mg per L
  • Ponds may be retreated in 5 to 10 days if needed
  • 0-day withdrawal time


 

Paracide-F
Argent Laboratories
1-800-426-6258

 SpeciesIndicationsDosingLimitations/Comments
Salmon, trout, catfish, largemouth bass, and bluegillControl external protozoa (species of the genera Chilodonella, Costia, Epistylis, Ichthyophthirius, Scyphidia, and Trichodina), and monogenetic trematodes (species of the genera Cleidodiscus, Dactylogyrus, and Gyrodactylus)
  • Salmon and trout in tanks and raceways:
    • Above 50°F: up to 170 µL per L for up to 1 hr
    • Below 50°F: up to 250 µL per L for up to 1 hr
  • Catfish, largemouth bass, and bluegill: up to 250 µL per L for up to 1 hr
  • Earthen ponds: 15 - 25 µL per L indefinitely
  • Drug must not be subjected to temperatures below 40°F
  • Do not apply to ponds when (1) water is warmer than 80°F, (2) there is a heavy phytoplankton bloom, or (3) dissolved oxygen is less than 5 mg per L
  • Ponds may be retreated in 5 to 10 days if needed
  • Do not treat ponds containing striped bass
  • Test on a small number of fish from each lot to check for any unusual sensitivity to formalin before proceeding
  • 0-day withdrawal time
Salmon, trout, and esocid eggsControl fungi of the family Saprolegniaceae1,000 - 2,000 µL per L for 15 min
  • Preliminary bioassay should be conducted on a small number of fish to determine species sensitivity
  • 0-day withdrawal time


Sulfadimethoxine & Ormetoprim

ROMET®30 and ROMET®TC
Aquatic Health Resources
1-877-280-2858

 


 SpeciesIndicationsDosingLimitations/Comments
SalmonidsControl of furunculosis due to Aeromonas salmonicida50 mg per kg fish per day for 5 days
  • In feed
  • 42-day withdrawal time
CatfishControl of enteric septicemia due to Edwardsiella ictaluri50 mg per kg fish per day for 5 days
  • In feed
  • 3-day withdrawal time


Oxytetracycline hydrochloride

Oxytetracycline HCl Soluble Powder-343
IVX Animal Health
1-800-759-3664
Pennox®-343
PennField Animal Health
1-800-832-8303
TETROXY® Aquatic Soluble Powder
Bimeda 1-888-524-6332

 

 SpeciesIndicationsDosingLimitations/Comments
Finfish fry and fingerlingsMark skeletal tissues200 - 700 mg oxytetracycline hydrochloride (buffered) per L of water for 2 - 6 hrsNone


Tricaine methanesulfonate

FINQUEL
Argent Laboratories
1-800-426-6258
TRICAINE-S
Western Chemical, Inc.
1-800-283-5292

 SpeciesIndicationsDosingLimitations/Comments
Fish (of the families Ictaluridae, Salmonidae, Esocidae, and Percidae), aquatic amphibians, and other aquatic poikilothermsTemporary immobilizationFish: 15 - 330 mg per L
Other poikilotherms: 1:1,000 – 1:20,000
  • Powder is added to water
  • Concentration depends upon desired degree of anesthesia, species, size, water temperature and softness, and stage of development
  • Preliminary tests of solution should be made with a few fish
  • 21-day withdrawal time (fish)
  • Laboratory or hatchery use only in other poikilotherms—water temperature over 50°F


Oxytetracycline dihydrate

TERRAMYCIN®200 for Fish
Phibro Animal Health
1-888-475-7355


 SpeciesIndicationsDosingLimitations/Comments
Pacific SalmonMark skeletal tissue250 mg per kg fish per day for 4 days
  • Salmon <30 g size
  • In feed as sole ration
  • 7-day withdrawal time
SalmonidsControl of ulcer disease (Hemophilus pisium), furunculosis (Aeromonas salmonicida), bacterial hemorrhagic septicemia (A. liquefaciens), and pseudomonas disease (Pseudomonas spp.)2.5 – 3.75 g per 100 lbs fish per day for 10 days
  • In mixed ration
  • 21-day withdrawal time
  • No temperature restrictions on use
Freshwater-reared salmonidsControl of mortality due to coldwater disease caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum3.75 g per 100 lbs fish per day for 10 days
  • In mixed ration
  • 21-day withdrawal time
  • No temperature restrictions on use
All freshwater-reared Oncorhynchus mykissControl of mortality due to columnaris disease3.75 g per 100 lbs fish per day for 10 days
  • In mixed ration
  • 21-day withdrawal time
  • No temperature restrictions on use
CatfishControl of bacterial hemorrhagic septicemia (A. liquefaciens) and pseudomonas disease (Pseudomonas spp.)2.5 - 3.75 g per 100 lbs fish per day for 10 days
  • In mixed ration
  • Water temperature not below 62°F (16.7°C)
  • 21-day withdrawal time
LobsterControl of gaffkemia (Aerococcus viridians)1 g per lb medicated feed for 5 days
  • In feed as sole ration
  • 30-day withdrawal time

Disclaimer:

Always refer to each product’s label for specific instructions. It is the user’s responsibility to read the MSDS for each product and comply with local NPDES requirements. Use of product names does not indicate endorsement by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, or the American Fisheries Society.

Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Drugs (e.g., Aquaflor®):

Certain drugs that are intended for use in animal feeds. The use of VFD drugs is permitted only under the professional supervision of a licensed veterinarian. VFD drugs cannot be used under extra-label drug-use provisions.

Prescription Drugs (e.g., Chorulon®):

Drugs that may be used only by, or on the order of, a licensed veterinarian.

Extra-Label Use:

The actual or intended use of an FDA-approved drug in a manner that is not in accordance with the approved label directions. Extra-label use is permitted only by, or on the order of, a licensed veterinarian when a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists.

FDA Information:

Please see the FDA/CVM website for additional information and new approvals (http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary). Contact FDA/CVM regarding any adverse drug events, including lack of effectiveness, with any approved drug (1-888-FDA-VETS).

Publication Date: August 2011 by the USFWS AADAP Program (http://www.fws.gov/fisheries/aadap), the AFS Fish Culture Section (http://www.fishculturesection.org/disclaimer icon), the AFS Fish Health Section (http://www.fisheries.org/units/fhs/disclaimer icon), and the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary).

 

 

 

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