IMPACT OF ARGULUS SPECIES INFECTION IN AQUACULTURE AND IT'S REMEDIES

The genus Argulus spp. popularly known as fish louse is a common cope-pod parasite on IMC in fish culture ponds. Based on the earlier reports published in India, particularly Ramakrishna et al. (2010) and Sahoo et al. (2010) the parasite in this study is reported as Argulus siamensis (Wilson, 1902). In the present study, ‘splashing behavior’ has been considered as one of the dependable tools of observations for development of various management interventions to control Argulosis more efficiently than farmer’s method. On record, this study may be the first scientific conclusion on ‘splashing behavior’ of Argulosis on IMC culture in Andhra Pradesh. Another significant finding from this study was the successful collection of egg clusters of the parasite using ‘egg collectors’ and the results are in agreement with the work of Hakalathi et al. (2004) and Anssi Karvonen et al. (2005). Therefore the efficiency of pest management in IMC culture ponds can be improved further by use of ‘egg collectors’ which can increase the interval of reoccurrence of Argulosis and also reduce the cost of treatment thereby indirectly promoting the faster fish growth.