Open AccessSlow‐release Coated Copper Sulfate as an Algicide for Aquaculture
Author(s) -
Viriyatum Rawee,
Boyd Claude E.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of the world aquaculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0893-8849
DOI - 10.1111/jwas.12331
Subject(s) - copper , ictalurus , sulfate , copper sulfate , catfish , aquaculture , biology , fishery , zoology , fish <actinopterygii> , toxicology , materials science , metallurgy
A coated copper sulfate algicide designed for controlled release of copper was evaluated for its effectiveness in controlling phytoplankton in hybrid catfish, ♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus , ponds. Copper concentrations were greater in ponds receiving weekly treatments with copper sulfate crystals than in ponds in which the coated copper sulfate was suspended in porous bags and left in ponds during the study. However, the coated copper sulfate treatment provided a similar degree of phytoplankton control for a period of about 4 mo. Copper additions did not negatively affect catfish survival, production, or feed conversion in either the copper sulfate crystal treatment or in the coated copper sulfate treatment as compared with the control ( P > 0.05). Flavor scores for fish did not differ between control and treatments ( P > 0.05). The coated copper sulfate appeared to be a potentially effective method for controlling phytoplankton in aquaculture ponds. It would be easier to apply and require fewer applications, and the coated copper algicide would not present a fish toxicity issue that can arise from high copper concentration immediately following copper sulfate crystal treatment.