Project Number: 6225-32000-004-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Nov 12, 2004
End Date: Nov 11, 2009

Objective:
Develop data needed to demonstrate safety (animal, human, and environmental) and efficacy of compounds that are relevant to the needs of aquaculture. Determine the efficacy of compounds, biological control strategies, clearance rate and pathogenesis of parasites and fungi applicable to catfish, baitfish, and Morone sp. culture. Conduct production efficiency trials with Channel x Blue catfish hybrids at multiple densities. Evaluate pond management using water circulators to improve production. Develop disease challenge models for catfish.

Approach:
Submit the FDA-required Efficacy data for control of Ichthyophthiriasis by Potassium Permanganate. Submit the environmental assessment data for potassium permanganate and copper sulfate on channel catfish in earthen ponds. Submit the target animal safety data for potassium permanganate in channel catfish. Use in vivo challenge models and in vitro assays to investigate the efficacy of florofenicol against streptococcus infection in hybrid striped bass and tilapia. Evaluate the safety of florofenicol use in hybrid striped bass and tilapia. Evaluate praziquantel for control of asisan tapeworm in grass carp and golden shiners. Evaluate the biological control of trematode vectoring mollusks by determining comparative consumption and preference by snail-eating fishes. Determine the clearance rate of the catfish trematode (bobophorus) in channel catfish and the gil trematode in hybrid striped bass, golden shiners, and channel catfish. Determine the prevalence of trematodes in black and yellow crown night herons, little blue herons, snowy egrets, cattle egrets, and belted kingfishers. Determine efficacy of dimilin for the control of anchor parasites and fish lice in morone sp., golden shiners, and gold fish. Evaluate copper sulfate treatments to control snails under commercial farm conditions. Use the DNA sequence of F. columnare and F. psychrophilum or F. Branchiophilum to detect and "fingerprint" strains of pathogens by molecular techniques as restriction fragment length polymorphism (RELP) using polymerase chain reaction, or pulse field gel electrophoresis (PEGE). Pond evaluations of channel/blue hybrids will be initiated. Simultaneously, channel/blue hybrids will be challenged by Flavobacterium columnare and Edwardsiella ictaluri to evaluate hybrid disease resistance. Coupled with the pond and disease challenge studies, engineering principles will be applied to develop improved methods for efficient, reduced-stress production, harvesting and transport of standard and hybrid catfish.