Effective January 1, 2017!
On January 1, 2017, the way fish culturists and fish health biologists involved in fish culture will be able to access and administer in-feed and immersion antibiotics will change. Over the Counter antibioics that are administered in feed (Terramycin 200 for Fish, Romet 30, and Romet TC) will be reclassified and will only be available as Veterinary Feed Directive drugs (just like Aquaflor). Top-coating feed will no longer be legally allowable.
In addition, use of Over the Counter immersion antibiotics (Pennox 343 and Terramycin 343) to mark skeletal tissue of fish will require a veterinary prescription.
These changes will affect timely treatment of fish diseases unless you take the steps to establish a valid veterinarian-patient-client relationship and figure out the role of your local fish health expert who is not a veterinarian.
For more information, we've included the memorandum signed by David Hoskins, AD for the Division of Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation dated August 19, 2016 about the notice of change to the federal rule regarding access to antibiotic drugs and consequences for USFWS hatcheries.
