Preliminary results from the use of hydrogen peroxide in recirculating aquaculture systems with summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)

Hydrogen peroxide (H sub(2)O sub(2)) is a compound used for therapeutic control of external diseases of cultured fish. Considered a low regulatory priority by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many other uses of hydrogen peroxide, in aquaculture, are being developed. Hydrogen peroxide also acts as an oxidizing agent, removing dissolved organics from the water column. Research conducted at the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center (VSAREC) compared the efficacy of hydrogen peroxide versus protein skimming in recirculating aquaculture systems. Six, 480 gallon independent replicated systems, three with H sub(2)O sub(2) and three with protein skimmers, were stocked with twenty-nine summer flounder averaging 480 grams/fish. Hydrogen peroxide was added, via IV drip, based on organic loading of feed input. Total suspended solids and bacterial counts were sampled weekly. Weight gain was assessed every three weeks. Preliminary assumptions suggest that hydrogen peroxide was less effective than protein skimming.