Aqua Drugs and Chemicals Use in Aquaculture

The study was carried out to understand current status of use of aqua drugs and chemicals in fish health management in freshwater aquaculture activities. Data were collected through questionnaire interview, personal contact and participatory rural appraisal. A range of aqua drugs and chemicals including antibiotics were found available in market. Fish health management and disease treatment were the major areas where majority of such chemicals have been used. Other uses included pond preparation and management, growth promotion and improvement of water quality to enhance pond productivity. Commonly used chemicals in health management included Lime, Salt, Potassium permanganate, Sumithion, Melathion, Formalin and Bleaching powder. Disinfectants chemicals Pologard plus & Deletix are being widely used in Aquaculture. Antibiotics were found in market of which Renamycin was being widely used. 28 pharmaceutical companies were producing and marketing these products. The study also identified the problems associated with the use of chemicals which included lack of knowledge regarding use of chemicals, appropriate dose, method of application and indiscriminate use of chemicals.