Rach, J.J., M.P. Gaikowski, G.E. Howe, and T.M. Schreier.  1998.  Toxicity of Hydrogen 
Peroxide to Eggs and Fry of Cold-, Cool-, and Warmwater Fish Species.  Final report submitted 
to Division of Therapeutic Drugs for Food Animals, Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA). 
 April 24, 1998.  371 pp.

The safety of hydrogen peroxide to eggs of eight freshwater fish species was evaluated.  Non-
eyed eggs of northern pike (Esox lucius), walleye (Stizostedion vitreum),  yellow perch (Perca 
flavescens), white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), 
paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), and channel catfish (Ictalurus 
punctatus) were cultured in egg jars or aquaria and treated for 15 minutes every weekday with 0, 
(untreated control) 500 (northern pike only), 1,000, 3,000, or 6,000 無/L of hydrogen peroxide 
until the viable eggs hatched. 
     For all species, the mean percent hatch was greater in eggs treated with 1,000 無/L 
hydrogen peroxide for 15 minutes than in the untreated controls.    Hydrogen peroxide 
concentrations of > 3,000 無/L could be safely administered to northern pike, yellow perch, lake 
sturgeon, common carp, and channel catfish eggs.  Eggs of walleye, white sucker, and paddlefish 
could be safely treated with hydrogen peroxide concentrations of greater than 1,000 and less than 
3,000 無/L.  Common carp, lake sturgeon, and paddlefish were the least sensitive to hydrogen 
peroxide with percent hatches ranging from 40 to 48 percent in the 6,000 無/L treatment.  
Fungal infections reduced or eliminated the hatch in most controls whereas nearly all treated 
eggs remained free of infection; hydrogen peroxide inhibited fungal infections on fish eggs.
     

     We recommend when a NADA (New Animal Drug Application) is developed for 
hydrogen peroxide the label claim should include the treatment of fungal infections of 
fish eggs of the orders Perciformes, Siluriforms, Cypriniforms, Acipenseriformes, and 
Esociformes, at concentrations up to 1,000 無/L hydrogen peroxide for 15 minutes daily 
if necessary.  Because egg sensitivity is likely to vary with species, strain, and the unique 
environmental conditions at each facility, a label caution should be present stating that 
before treatment of an entire group of eggs, a preliminary bioassay should be conducted 
on a small sample to determine sensitivity.