Treatment to control Gyrodactylus sp. and Cichlidogyrus sp. associated with mortality in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Abstract

Aquaculture has developed exponentially, however, one of the problems it faces is the presence of ectoparasites that cause mortality and economic losses. In a culture system located in Sinaloa, Mexico, it was observed that Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus presented characteristics of parasite infestation such as: lesions with bleeding, rubbing on the walls of the tank and erratic swimming. The aims of this study were: i) to identify the ectoparasites present in O. niloticus; ii) to evaluate the effectiveness of Dermogard® Aqua, a skin protector for ectoparasites control, and iii) to conduct a global literature search on control treatments for monogeneans. Skin and gill smear samples were taken, identifying a co-infection with monogeneans: Gyrodactylus sp. (Gyrodactylydae) on skin and Cichlidogyrus sp. (Ancyrocephalidae) on gills. Five experimental treatments were established: T1 (1h), T2 (3h), T3 (6h), T4 (12h) and T5 (24h) and a control (CT), with a density of 10 fish per tank. The concentration of Dermogard® Aqua used was 0.1g/L for all treatments. The most effective treatment was T3 (6h) (p<0.05), reducing the presence of monogeneans by up to 89% compared to the control treatment. China is positioned as the leading countries in studies to control monogeneans.