Effects of formalin on water quality and parasitic monogeneans on silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus Mitchell) in earthen ponds

Infestations of parasitic monogenean trematodes (Lepidotrema bidyana and Gyrodactylus sp.) on freshwater silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus Mitchell) in earthen ponds were treated with formalin (37% formaldehyde). Concentrations of 30 and 40 mg L−1 formalin were effective, but fish in ponds treated with 20 or 25 mg L−1 remained infested. At temperatures of 24.1–26.9°C, concentrations of 30 or 40 mg L−1 formalin caused dissolved oxygen (DO) to decline from 10.1–11.9 to 3.0–3.3 and 1.2–1.7 mg L−1, respectively, within 36–42 h of treatment. In addition, pH declined from 7.2–8.4 to 6.3–6.7, within 36 h and turbidity decreased over 48 h. In the ponds where DO was 1.2–1.7 mg L−1, silver perch showed signs of severe stress, but continuous aeration (10 hp ha−1) for 3 days and inflow of well‐oxygenated water for 6–8 h prevented mortalities. At temperatures of 13.2–15.7°C, concentrations of 30 or 40 mg L−1 formalin caused DO to decline from 9.0–10.0 to 6.0–8.1 mg L−1 and pH from 7.0–7.3 to 5.9–6.6 within 72 h. Total ammonia‐nitrogen increased over 72 h in ponds treated with 30 or 40 mg L−1 formalin. Fish became re‐infested with L. bidyana in all ponds within 30 days of treatment. A concentration of 30 mg L−1 formalin is recommended as a treatment for monogeneans on silver perch in ponds, but aeration is necessary to maintain adequate water quality at higher temperatures.