Field Trials of Sarafin- and Romet-Medicated Feeds for Treatment ofEdwardsiella ictaluriInfections in Channel Catfish

Abstract

Abstract The efficacy of Sarafin®- and Romet®-medicated feeds fed at 1% body weight was evaluated under field trial conditions for the treatment of naturally induced Edwardsiella ictaluri infections in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. When administered daily for 5 d, Sarafin-medicated feed at a dose of 10 mg Sarafin/kg of fish and Romet-medicated feed at a dose of 50 mg Romet/kg of fish significantly increased survival to 73 and 71%, respectively, compared with 64% in fish fed nonmedicated feed. All dead fish tested from both medicated and nonmedicated treatments were positive for E. ictaluri. Fish fed either Sarafin- or Romet-medicated feed gained significantly (P < 0.05) more weight than did nonmedicated fish. Weight gains of medicated fish were indicative of reduced morbidity in the population. Weight gain differences between fish fed Sarafin and those fed Romet was not significant. A significant decrease in the number of fish deaths occurring in groups fed either Sarafin- or Romet-medicated feed w...