Use and impact of veterinary drugs, antimicrobials, and supplements in fish health management

OBJECTIVE: The study was carried out to investigate the use and impact of veterinary drugs, antimicrobials, and supplements in commercial aquaculture for fish health management measures in three selected areas of Mymensingh, Bangladesh. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data collection was conducted through questionnaire interviews with owners of 50 fish farms and 25 drug shop owners from Trishal, Fulpur, Tarakanda, and Sadar Upazila of Mymensingh district. RESULTS: A total of 15 trade-named veterinary antibiotics and six categories of other compounds were identified in this study. Antibiotics were found as the most used veterinary drugs (80.85%), followed by disinfectants, nutritional supplements, saline, ammonia removal agents, probiotics, and pesticides. These veterinary compounds’ performances for fish health management were found to vary (10%–60%) significantly. CONCLUSION: This study’s findings urge the necessity to produce and approve effective aqua drugs and treatments to ensure farmed fish and public health.