Investigation on the use of chloramphenicol and amoxicillin in snakehead fish (Channa maculata) farming and analysis of those antibiotic residue in muscle samples

Abstract

The use of drugs and chemicals in aquaculture has been increased surprisingly due to the fact that it has been moving from low to high level of intensification. However, there is lack of information in snakehead fish farming. The study was conducted by interviewing 65 farmers in Dinh Quan, Trang Bom, and Bien Hoa, Dong Nai province to provide sufficient information on the use of chloramphenicol (CAP) and amoxicillin (AMX) in snakehead fish farming. Interview results showed that no employment of the 2 antibiotics in prevention of diseases. However, CAP was currently applied to treat diseases at a concentration of 50.04 and 100.0 g/ton of fish in Bien Hoa and Trang Bom, respectively despite it was banned in aquaculture according to the law. AMX restricted to use was employed when fish got sick at 59.62, 91.49, and 89.58 g/ton of fish in Dinh Quan, Bien Hoa and Trang Bom, respectively. In contrast to field survey result, LC-MS/MS analysis of 3 fish muscle samples randomly collected at each place around 14 days before and on the day of harvesting indicated that no residue of concerned antibiotics was detected. The present study suggests that farmers currently apply antibiotics including banned antibiotics in fish but have initially raised awareness of the use of antibiotics, evidenced by the fact that they were only used when needed. Hence, the management and extension should be intensively promoted for a legal use of antibiotics and other chemicals.