Catfish Pangasius Research Articles

Kecernaan Pakan dan Pertumbuhan Ikan Patin Pangasius hypopthalmus yang Diberi Tepung dan Ekstrak Daun Kayu Manis Cinnamomum burmannii

This research was conducted to evaluate the digestibility and growth performance of catfish Pangasius hypopthalmus fed on Cinnamomum burmannii leaf powder and extract. Ten catfish with an average body weight of 0.02 ± 11.24 g were stocked into the 40 × 50 × 35 cm aquarium. Fish were fed on the diet contained of 0.1% cinnamon extract, 1% cinnamon powder and without cinnamon leaf. Fish were fed on those diets at satiation with times a day. Fish were cultured for 60 days. The results showed the bacterial total number in the gut of fish fed diet contained 0.1% cinnamon leaf extract was 7.8 x 107 cfu/g, greater than other treatments. Protein digestibility in 0.1% cinnamon extract increase 4.12% and body protein 58.72%. The whole body of fish fed on cinnamon leaf extract contained higher protein and lower fat. There was no different result in the growth of catfish

Boom and bust in Andhra Pradesh: Development and transformation in India's domestic aquaculture value chain

India is the world's second largest producer of farmed fish, and the state of Andhra Pradesh (AP) is by far the most important producer of farmed fish in India. Freshwater aquaculture has boomed in AP since the late 1970s, first with carps, then pangasius catfish. Over this period fish pond area and farmed fish production grew from nothing to reach 142,000 ha and 1.5 million tons, respectively. Despite its scale and dramatic consequences, the boom has received little attention in the international literature. The present paper addresses this gap by analyzing changes in the structure and conduct of each segment of AP's freshwater aquaculture value chain during four distinct phases of development (incubation, take-off, maturation and modernization). This analysis reveals that aquaculture development in AP shares many characteristics with agricultural commodity booms elsewhere in Asia. The paper contributes to the literature on crop booms by: 1) characterizing Southern domestic demand for agricultural products as an important but overlooked driver of agrarian development, and; 2) identifying interlinked processes of innovation and transformation in off-farm segments of the supply chain as a central feature of crop booms.

The estimate of world demand for Pangasius catfish (Pangasiusianodon hypopthalmus)

ABSTRACTThis research described in this article aimed to investigate international market potentials for Pangasius catfish (Pangasianodon hypopthalmus). The monthly export data from Vietnam, which accounts for more than 95% of the global export value, in the period 2007 to 2014, were used to estimate a non-linear Inverse Almost Ideal Demand System of the seven market regions. Prices in all markets are found very inflexible, with own-price flexibilities on −0.200 to −0.917, or −0.419 on average, revealing the option of expanding global production and export without inducing a substantial price reduction. Consumers in all markets except Latin America evaluate Pangasius as a necessary good, indicating that the Pangasius industry is relatively little affected by recessions and booms in the world economy. The major markets are substitutes for each other; therefore, if demand at one market region is reduced, the presence of substitution leads suppliers to find other markets. The results reveal that demand provides stable framework conditions for the Pangasius industry.

Edwardsiella ictaluri infection in Pangasius catfish imported from West Bengal into the Southern Caribbean.

In response to a mortality event, seven Pangasius catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) were submitted to the University of the West Indies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Trinidad and Tobago, for diagnostic evaluation. These fish were part of a consignment that arrived from Kolkata two weeks earlier. Fish presented with perianal haemorrhage and blister-like swellings on the skin which ruptured to leave ulcers. Edwardsiella ictaluri was consistently recovered from the brain and skin. Repetitive sequence-mediated PCR analysis revealed genetic fingerprints consistent with E. ictaluri isolates from farm-raised channel catfish in Mississippi, USA. Plasmid analysis of the case isolates identified two unique plasmids that differ slightly in conformation and content from the pEI1 and pEI2 plasmids described for E. ictaluri from other fish hosts. The case isolates were also PCR negative for several E. ictaluri virulence factors. The biological implications of these genetic differences are unclear and warrant further study. This is the first report and documentation of E. ictaluri infection in Trinidad and Tobago, suggesting the pathogen may have been introduced concurrently with the importation of fish. This report emphasizes the importance of adequate health screenings of imported lots to minimize the threat of introducing E. ictaluri to non-endemic areas.

Large‐scale patterns of fish diversity and assemblage structure in the longest tropical river in Asia

AbstractAlthough the Mekong River is one of the world's 35 biodiversity hot spots, the large‐scale patterns of fish diversity and assemblage structure remain poorly addressed. This study aimed to investigate the fish distribution patterns in the Lower Mekong River (LMR) and to identify their environmental determinants. Daily fish catch data (i.e. from December 2000 to November 2001) at 38 sites distributed along the LMR were related to 15 physicochemical and 19 climatic variables. As a result, four different clusters were defined according to the similarity in assemblage composition and 80 indicator species were identified. While fish species richness was highest in the Mekong delta and lowest in the upper part of the LMR, the diversity index was highest in the middle part of the LMR and lowest in the delta. We found that fish assemblages changed along the environmental gradients and that the main drivers affecting the fish assemblage structure were the seasonal variation of temperature, precipitation, dissolved oxygen, pH and total phosphorus. Specifically, upstream assemblages were characterised by cyprinids and Pangasius catfish, well suited to low temperature, high dissolved oxygen and high pH. Fish assemblages in the delta were dominated by perch‐like fish and clupeids, more tolerant to high temperatures, and high levels of nutrients (nitrates and total phosphorus) and salinity. Overall, the patterns were consistent between seasons. Our study contributes to establishing the first holistic fish community study in the LMR.

Effect of replacing marine fish meal with catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) by-product protein hydrolyzate on the growth performance and diarrhoea incidence in weaned piglets.

The present study consists of two experiments. In experiment 1, a total of 120 weaned piglets (Yorkshire × Landrace) (7.3 ± 1.9kg) were allocated to five treatments, and four replications (pens) with six piglets/pen. In experiment 2, 40 male pigs (23.0 ± 2.2kg) were allocated to five treatments and eight replications (individual pens). In both experiments, the control diet contained fish meal (FM) as the sole protein supplement (CPH0), while the experimental diets consisted of four different diets in which crude protein (CP) from FM in CPH0 was replaced by the CP from catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) by-product protein hydrolyzate (CPH) at four different levels: 100% (CPH100), 75% (CPH75), 50% (CPH50) and 25% (CPH25). The results in experiment 1 showed that the highest average daily gain (ADG) over the 5-week period after weaning was recorded for piglets on CPH100 (307g/day), and the lowest for piglets fed CPH0 (287g/day) (P < 0.01). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lower in CPH100 (1.43kg feed/kg gain) than in CPH0 (1.51kg feed/kg gain) (P < 0.01). The piglets fed CPH100 were less affected by diarrhoea (6.55%) than piglets fed the control diet CPH0 (17.3%) after weaning, and faecal scores were also lower. In experiment 2, ADG was lowest in CPH0, and the cost/gain in pigs fed CPH100 was lowest in both weaning and growing pigs. In conclusion, it is possible to replace up to 100% of the FM by CPH in diets for weaning and growing pigs, resulting in improved ADG and FCR, lower feed cost/gain as well as reduced diarrhoea incidence and improved faecal score.

Nutritional Composition of Frozen Fillets from Pangasius Catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) and Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis nilotcus) Imported to European Countries

Abstract The proximate composition, fatty acids and amino acids profile as well as mineral composition of frozen fillets from Pangasius catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) imported to Poland (PP), Germany (PG) and Ukraine (PU) and fillets from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis nilotcus) imported to Poland (TP) and Germany (TG) were investigated. PU contained ten times more fat than PG and PP. Tilapia fillets contained higher levels of n-3 fatty acids and showed more preferable n-6/n-3 ratio than pangasius fillets. The fillets of PG contained higher levels of protein and essential amino acids than PU and PP, however the amino acids composition of pangasius and tilapia fillets was similar for all specimens. The fillets of PP and PU contained significantly higher amounts of sodium than other studied groups, which suggests that they were subjected to additional treatment to increase their water holding capacity. The results show significant differences in the nutritional composition of pangasius depending on their place of import, thus it was recommended that more information regarding the nutritional composition of the frozen fillets sold through self-service freezers should be provided for the final consumer.

Examination of entry portal and pathogenesis of Edwardsiella ictaluri infection in striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

The host-bacterium interaction between striped pangasius catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) and Edwardsiella ictaluri was examined during experimentally induced bacillary necrosis of pangasius (BNP). After infection by immersion challenge, fish samples were taken over the course of the infection. Necrotic dermatitis, associated with vasculitis-perivasculitis changes, was the most notable gross and histopathological change observed, similar to that described during channel catfish enteric septicemia. Typical histopathological change associated with BNP were initially observed by 96h post-infection (hpi) and these lasted until 14days post infection (dpi) with no granulomatous formation evident. The presence of the bacterium was observed in various organs using immunohistochemistry (IHC), except for the brain, with positive staining observed within differing cell types, including phagocytic cells, myocardia, gill epithelia and capillary endothelia. No extracellular deposition of bacterial antigen was observed. Bacterial antigen persisted up to 1month in the independent phagocytic cells, necrotic-associated phagocytic cells and melano-macrophage centers, confirming the intracellular nature of E. ictaluri disseminated in the tissues during septicemia. The bacterium was evident in the gills early in the infection (6–12 hpi) and in necrotic skin at 72hpi. With the histopathological changes observed, this suggests that skin is another possible natural route for disseminating E. ictaluri in pangasius catfish during infection. Statement of relevanceThis information will improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of BNP, and establish more effective methods of control for this important disease, including methods for quantifying sub-lethal infections and assessing response against the invading pathogen.

ANALISIS EFISIENSI PEMASARAN IKAN PATIN (Pangasius Sp) DI CINDAI ALUS KABUPATEN BANJAR PROVINSI KALIMANTAN SELATAN

There are problems happening in the marketing system of fresh catfish in Cindai Alusin which the profits received by merchants or middlemen are higher than retailers. The share or benefits received by fish farmers in Cindai Alus are higher than merchants and retailers. This share is as the selling price of fresh catfish from the farmers to the collectors and then to be sold again to the retailers, and finally to the consumers with a higher price.This study is aimed at finding out the marketing channels of fresh fish, especially catfish (Pangasius sp) in Cindai Alus area, finding out the marketing agents either as producers or consumers, determining the differences in the marginal level of marketing and profitability of each agents as well as factors affecting the margin, finding out the share price received by the producers from the consumers price in different marketing channels, and finding out the structure, behavior and market performance of catfish (Pangasiussp) in Cindai Alus.This study applied survey and interview as methods of data analysis. The data collected included primary data, i.e. data from the fish farmer the main source which obtained through a structured interview (with questionnaire), as well as secondary data obtained from various sources, such as the results from other research, literature study and information from related institutions relevant to the study.The results showed that the pattern of marketing channels of fresh catfish (Pangasius sp) from the farmers to the final consumers in Cindai Alus consists of 4 patterns and marketing participants consist of manufacturers, merchants from local or from other regions, and retailers. In addition, the share percentage received by the fish farmers are efficient by 87.26%, and the marketing system of fresh catfish in Cindai Alus is considered as imperfect competition structure or oligopsony in which the amount of sellers are bigger than the buyers.

Monitoring and determination of sulfonamide antibiotics (sulfamethoxydiazine, sulfamethazine, sulfamethoxazole and sulfadiazine) in imported Pangasius catfish products in Thailand using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

This research aimed to monitor the concentrations of sulfamethoxydiazine (SMD), sulfamethazine (SMT), sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and sulfadiazine (SDZ) in imported Pangasius catfish products in Thailand. The residues of the four sulfonamides (SAs) were analyzed by extraction process and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The highest concentrations found were 10.97ng/g for SMD, 6.23ng/g for SMT, 11.13ng/g for SDZ and 245.91ng/g for SMX, which was higher than the European Union (EU) standard (100ng/g). Moreover, all samples contaminated with SMX also contained SMT, indicating that more than one antibiotic was used for production in the country of origin. Because Thai standards for antibiotics in food have not been completely set, all contaminated discovered would not be considered to be an illegal food, in which antibiotic residues may affect human health in the long term. Therefore, antibiotic residues in Pangasius catfish products should be continually regulated and monitored.

Perceived versus real toxicological safety of pangasius catfish: a review modifying market perspectives

AbstractMass media reports suggest that pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) is ‘full of poison’ because it is able to survive in the ‘heavily polluted Mekong River’ and contains pesticides and veterinary treatment chemicals. However, most of these claims are not substantiated with scientific evidence. To assess the safety of pangasius consumption, a full toxicological risk assessment was performed. The results obtained were compared to toxicity claims made in a selection of media reports. Information on contaminant levels encountered in pangasius was collected from the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) database. The toxicological risk assessments do not support any of the toxicological risks suggested in the media. Next, the maximum pangasius consumption that would be considered safe was estimated on the basis of the highest levels of the toxic contaminants reported in Vietnamese pangasius by RASFF and the safety thresholds for the contaminants. The maximum amount of the recalled fillet that could have been consumed without any adverse effects amounted to between 3.4 and 166.7 kg day−1 (lifelong for a 70 kg adult) in the case of pesticide contamination and between 0.613 and 303 kg fillet day−1 in the case of preservatives and antibiotics. It is concluded that consumption of pangasius available on the European market does not pose any concern for the health of the consumer. The analysis presented in this study illustrates that publicly available independent information could help consumers to develop their own well‐informed opinion about food safety issues.

Effects of Eryngii mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) and Lactobacillus plantarum on growth performance, immunity and disease resistance of Pangasius catfish (Pangasius bocourti, Sauvage 1880).

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Eryngii mushroom, Pleurotus eryngii (PE), and Lactobacillus plantarum single or combined on growth, innate immune response and disease resistance of the Pangasius catfish, Pangasius bocourti. Two hundred forty fish were divided into four treatments, i.e., 0gkg(-1) PE (Control, Diet 1), 3gkg(-1) PE (Diet 2), 10(8)cfug(-1) L. plantarum (Diet 3) and 3gkg(-1) PE+10(8)cfug(-1) L. plantarum (Diet 4). Fish were culture in glass tanks with water volume approximately of 150l, and each treatment had four replications with 15 fish per replication. Following 30, 60 and 90days of the feeding trial, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), serum lysozyme, phagocytosis and respiratory burst activities were measured. SGR and FCR were significantly improved in fish fed supplemented diets after 90days of the feeding trial. Serum lysozyme, phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity of fish were significantly stimulated by both PE and L. plantarum diets; however, the highest innate immune response was observed in fish fed synbiotic diet. At the end of the experiment, five fish were randomly selected for a challenge test against Aeromonas hydrophila. The post-challenge survival rate of the fish fed supplemented diets was significantly greater than the control treatment, and the highest post-challenge survival rate was observed in synbiotic diet. The results revealed that dietary supplementation of PE and L. plantarum stimulated growth, immunity and disease resistance of the P. bocourti.

CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF KECIMPRING CHIPS WITH ADDITION OF FISH MEAT FROM CIRATA RESERVOIR

Kecimpring is a typical Indonesian chip made from cassava. This study aimed to determine the chemical characteristics of kecimpring chips with the addition of fish meat. There were three species of fish used in this study, tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), pomfret (Colossoma macropomum) and catfish (Pangasius hypopthalmus), collected from Cirata Reservoir. The chemical characteristics of kecimpring chips were measured from the content of water, protein, lipid, ash, and fiber. The result showed that the highest yield of minced fish was obtained from Colossoma macropomum (32.87 %). Kecimpring chips with the addition of Oreochromis niloticus meat contained the highest water (12.98 %), protein (11.54 %) and lipid (1.55 %). In addition, the highest ash content (4.67 %) was provided from kecimpring chips with the addition of Pangasius hypopthalmus meat while the highest fiber content (2.28 %) was obtained from kecimpring chips with the addition of Colossoma macropomum meat. The value of the highest total amino acid was provided from kecimpring chips with the addition of 30 % Oreochromis niloticus (8.57 % w/w), with the domination of glutamic acid (1.57 % w/w).

Financial impacts and risks of climate change: a case study of fish farming in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Farmers face weather-related risks that are often overlooked in the literature. This paper analyses the potential impact of one weather-related risk, climate change. The context is aquaculture in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, where severe storms are forecast to cause flooding and pond salination. In the Delta, the two principal farmed species are the Pangasius catfish and giant prawn; their cultivation provides employment to about a quarter of a million people, and they are a source of food security for more than a million people. This development engine could be jeopardised unless farmers are given sufficient lead-time to adapt to severe weather risks. An enterprise model is developed that conforms to existing bio-economic data for an average farm of the two principal species in the Mekong Delta. The model then simulates likely impacts of climate change on financial variables. It should be noted that these impacts are not definitive, but are merely 'guesstimates' and should be used with caution. However, they do provide an indication of likely trends. Strategies are suggested that might mitigate the negative effects of climate change.

Assessment of Color and Sensory Evaluation of Frozen Fillets from Pangasius Catfish and Nile Tilapia Imported to European Countries

The current study was designed to assess the color and sensory evaluation of frozen fillets of Pangasius catfish and Nile tilapia imported to Poland, Germany, and Ukraine in order to evaluate the possible impact of negative media image of these fish fillets on the sensory expectations of the consumers. The study used two trials of sensory evaluation: Blind and informed, on a group of untrained respondents and additional color analysis using the Commission Internationale de l’Éclairage (CIE) L*a*b* scale. The lowest grades during sensory evaluation in all measured parameters were given to Pangasius imported to Ukraine and Poland. The grades of Pangasius and tilapia imported to Germany were similar and significantly higher than of other Pangasius groups. Generally tilapia fillets were marked as better than Pangasius fillets. Moreover the present study found that there was considerable percentage of customers which are susceptible to various commercial frauds since they marked Pangasius higher when they thought they are consuming turbot. This study also showed that the negative image of Pangasius presented through various mass-media might have a negative impact on consumer’s perspective of Pangasius consumption.

Assessment of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and pesticide residues in domestic and imported pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) fish in India.

The pangasius catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) is a ubiquitous item of seafood in global markets. However, pesticide residues in aquaculture fish, arising from agricultural run-off and/or direct application during pond preparation, pest control and harvest, are a potential food safety concern. This study assessed the level of chemical hazard in domestic and imported pangasius fish in India. A total of 119 contaminants, including polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorines (OCs) and other groups of pesticides, were screened in 148 samples during 2014-2015 as the first endeavour of its kind in an Indian context, employing a validated gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) method. Apart from the low-level incidence of OCs, pesticides such as quinalphos, malathion, parathion-methyl, etc. were detected in 38% of the samples. In comparison with Indian pangasius, fewer contaminants at low residue level were detected in pangasius fillets imported from Vietnam. The human dietary exposures of the residue concentrations detected were less than the maximum permissible intakes and hence appeared safe. However, detection of commonly used pesticides indicated their direct application in aquaculture and contamination from agricultural run-off. This emphasizes the need for continual residue monitoring in aquaculture fish. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Assessment of post harvest loss of wet fish: a novel approach based on sensory indicator assessment

As a very common feature of fish marketing, small-scale fisheries in tropical countries suffers from huge post-harvest loss every year. A method was proposed to quantify the post-harvest quality loss of wet fish using sensory based assessment tool. The assessments were conducted on four fish species (rohu Labeo rohita; Ilish Tenualosa ilisha, catfish Pangasius sutchi and tilapia Oreochromis niloticus) in different steps of major distribution channels in Bangladesh for a year. Sensory quality defect point data were standardized with corresponding biochemical and microbiological quality parameters through interval estimate based on regression analysis, where a “near to actual” sensory quality breaking point was found to be DP 3.3. High value of goodness of fit 2 R indicated a highly fitted regression model for all the fishes tested, with highly significant (p&lt;0.01) estimated regression coefficients. Percent quality loss of fish at each step of distribution channel was determined using DP 3.3, constructing a (1-?) confidence interval for average percentage of defective fish. The loss assessment study indicated that fish did not lose quality during handling by the fishermen, and fish farmers or at landing centers and primary fish markets, except fresh T. ilisha destined for consumer market. While, T. ilisha used for salting during glut catch suffered substantial loss. Most of the quality losses were initiated at the transporters and commission agents, from 4% in P. sutchi to 11% in O. niloticus. When fish come to retailers, a 16% loss was recognized in L. rohita and O. niloticus, but 7% in P. sutchi and 9% in T. ilisha. Higher loss was observed in fish vendors, from 10% - 19%. Considering the retailers as the end-point stake in the fish distribution chain, study revealed the range of fish quality loss was 7-16% in four major consumed species in Bangladesh. The method was further validated in assessing the quality of 24 other major commercial fish species in different seasons and locations country-wide for two consecutive years and found identical results. The results suggest that the new method can be applied to any fish in quantifying the qualitative loss.SAARC J. Agri., 13(1): 75-89 (2015)

Microbiological and chemical safety concerns regarding frozen fillets obtained from Pangasius sutchi and Nile tilapia exported to European countries

Microbiological and chemical safety concerns regarding frozen fillets from pangasius catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) exported to Poland, Germany and Ukraine and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exported to Poland and Germany were investigated by analyzing heavy metal residues, microbiological hazards, biogenic amines, and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) content. The heavy metal residues from all studied samples were far lower than the limits established by authorities. The most abundant biogenic amine found was histamine, with a maximum content of 9.6 mg 100 g(-1) , found in pangasius exported to Poland. The total viable counts were from 2.8 log cfu g(-1) in pangasius exported to Ukraine to 4.3 log cfu g(-1) in pangasius exported to Germany. Vibrio spp. were present in 70-80% of all studied pangasius groups, whereas there no Vibrio spp. were found in the studied tilapia samples. 30% of Pangasius fillets exported to Poland were contaminated with coagulase-positive staphylococci. No E. coli was found in any of the studied samples. Although the results of TBA analysis differed significantly between studied groups, the malonic aldehyde content in all studied groups was still very low. The TVB-N content in frozen fillets from pangasius was significantly lower than in frozen tilapia fillets. We reported that pangasius catfish frozen fillets were widely contaminated with Vibrio spp., which could prove hazardous for the final consumer if the fish is eaten raw or undercooked. The rest of the analysis showed no other reason for concern associated with Nile tilapia and Pangasius catfish frozen fillet consumption.

The Efficacy of Organic Zinc Amino Acid Complex(AvailaZn®) on Growth Performance and Immunity of Pangasius Catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)

The efficacy of organic zinc amino acid complex(AvailaZn ® ) on growth performance and immunity of Pangasius catfish ( Pangasianodon hypophthalmus ) was assigned in CRD with 4 treatments and 5 replicates. The treatments were control with inorganic zinc 100 ppm (T1) and the other two treatments of zinc 100 ppm at different proportion of inorganic zinc : organic zinc 70:30 (T2) and 40:60(T3) and the treatment of only organic zinc 50 ppm (T4; 50% of control). Pangasius catfish with average weight of 209 g. were stocked in 1,000 liter fiber tanks at the density of 15 fishes per tank and fed treatment diets 3% of body weight twice daily for three months. The results indicated that there were statistical difference (p<0.05) on growth performance in term of body weigh and specific growth rate of Pangasius catfish fed diet supplemental organic zinc at different levels were higher (P<0.05) than group of inorganic control(T1). The specific growth rate were 0.89, 1.20, 1.16 and 1.27 %/ in T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Feed conversion ratio were not significantly different(p=0.08) and protein efficiency ratio also were not significantly different(p=0.09). White blood cell count, serum protein, immunoglobulin (IgM), hemoglobin, and super oxide anion in group of zinc amino acid complex were better (p<0.05) than group of inorganic control(T1). Therefore, using zinc amino acid complex(AvailaZn ® ) in Pangasius catfish diet can enhance catfish growth performance (p<0.05) and decrease zinc level in the catfish diet by 50% of using inorganic zinc. Supplementation zinc amino acid complex(AvailaZn ® ) in Pangasius catfish diet is recommended at the level of 50 ppm for organic mineral and 100 ppm for the proportion of organic and inorganic 70:30 ppm.

An evaluation of fish health-management practices and occupational health hazards associated with Pangasius catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) aquaculture in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

This study aimed to evaluate the current status on the use of probiotics, disinfectants and antimicrobials in hatcheries, nurseries and grow-out farms producing Pangasius catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 83 aquaculture enterprises (15 hatcheries, 32 nurseries and 36 grow-out farms). Farmers reported use of a total of 24 different antimicrobials, e.g. for treatment of bacillary necrosis and motile aeromonad septicaemia, and a variety of disinfectants, probiotics and nutritional supplements. In contrast to small-scale farmers, all large-scale grow-out farmers studied were certified and therefore had higher levels of formal education and specialized aquaculture training to diagnose and treat diseases. All farmers prepared their own medicated feed with a high risk of treatment failure, negative environmental impact from released antimicrobials and resistance development. Small-scale farmers were at particular occupational health risks when handling antimicrobials and other chemicals, e.g. mixing medicated feed with bare hands. There is an urgent need to improve knowledge and use innovative approaches, e.g. private-public partnerships, to assure a prudent use of chemicals, to improve capacity and access to disease diagnosis, particularly for small-scale grow-out farmers and nurseries. Efforts to control use of antimicrobials in aquaculture should be coordinated with the livestock and human health sectors taking an One-Health approach.