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		Use of Formalin to Control Fish Parasites
		Page 3 of 3	Pages: 1 . 2 . 3
		USE OF FORMALIN IN HATCHERIES TO CONTROL FUNGUS ON EGGS Formalin is approved by FDA for control of fungi in fish hatcheries. Concentrations of 1000 to 2000 mg/l can be applied to fish eggs for 15 minutes to aid in control of fungus. Hatchery managers are reminded that sanitation is important for the prevention of fungal invasions on fish eggs. Dead eggs should be removed from the system promptly because they serve as a source of infection for adjacent, healthy eggs. SUMMARY Formalin is a liquid formulation of 37% formaldehyde gas dissolved in water. Two brands of formalin, Formalin-F (Natchez Animal Supply, Natchez, Miss.) and Paracide-F (Argent Chemical Laboratories, Redmond, Wash.), have been approved by FDA as parasiticides for use on fish. Formalin is effective against many external parasites, including protozoans and monogenetic trematodes. It is not generally considered the best treatment for external fungal or bacterial infections. Formalin can be delivered in a short-term bath at a concentration of 250 mg/l - or 150 mg/l if water temperature is greater than 70°F (21°C) - for no more than 60 minutes. It can be delivered as an indefinite bath at a concentration of 15 to 25 mg/l. Formalin is an excellent parasiticide for use in tanks and aquaria, but its use in ponds is discouraged because it chemically removes oxygen from the water and can contribute to catastrophic oxygen depletion under pond conditions. This is avoided in tanks and aquaria by always supplying vigorous aeration when formalin is used. High concentrations of formalin (1000 to 2000 mg/l for 15 minutes) can be used to control fungal infections on fish eggs; however, appropriate management practices must be implemented to prevent recurrence. -------------------------------------------------------- Footnotes 1. This document is VM-77, one of a series of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Date published April 1996. Please visit the FAIRS Web site at http://hammock.ifas.ufl.edu. 2. Ruth Francis-Floyd, Joint Associate Professor, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences and Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611. -------------------------------------------------------- The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. For information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension Service office. Florida Cooperative Extension Service / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences / University of Florida / Christine Taylor Waddill, Dean -------------------------------------------------------- Copyright Information This document is copyrighted by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) for the people of the State of Florida. UF/IFAS retains all rights under all conventions, but permits free reproduction by all agents and offices of the Cooperative Extension Service and the people of the State of Florida. Permission is granted to others to use these materials in part or in full for educational purposes, provided that full credit is given to the UF/IFAS, citing the publication, its source, and date of publication. SimplyDiscus.com gratefully thanks the Florida Cooperative Extension Service for permission to use this article. Please visit them at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/

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