In vitro assessment of copper naphthenate against the free-living stages of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

Abstract

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is an important freshwater teleost pathogen that often leads to significant economic losses to food and ornamental fish industry. The purpose of this study was to assess the acute toxicity of copper naphthenate to the free-living stages of I. multifiliis (theronts and protomonts). The results obtained showed that the administration of low doses (4, 6, 8, 10 mg/l) of 2.4 % copper naphthenate during a 4 h exposure killed nearly all free-living stages of I. multifiliis (theronts, protomonts). The demonstrated in vitro efficacy of copper naphthenate suggests its great potential to control I. multifiliis infections in commercial aquaculture systems.

Keywords

• Ichthyophthirius multifiliis
• Copper naphthenate
• Theronts
• Protomonts