Present Status of Chemicals and Aqua Drugs Used in The Freshwater Fish Health Management of Kurigram District in Bangladesh

Authors

  • Most Rakiba Akter Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh
  • Mst Nahid Akter Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh
  • Mst Masuma Khatun Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh
  • Nipa Gupta Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh
  • Most Mobia Kawsar Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh
  • Moumita Habiba Sarmin Dorin Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/ralf.v12i3.86350

Keywords:

Freshwater aquaculture, Aqua-drugs & chemicals, Health management, Kurigram district

Abstract

A survey was conducted to assess the current status of aqua-drugs and chemicals used in freshwater aquaculture practices in Kurigram district, Bangladesh. Data were collected through random sampling using participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools, including structured questionnaires, personal interviews, market surveys, and focus group discussions (FGDs), involving fish hatchery owners, nursery and grow-out farmers, aqua-medicine retailers, and representatives of pharmaceutical companies. The results revealed that farmers had varying levels of experience and training, with limited access to formal training opportunities. Major water quality problems reported included dissolved oxygen (DO) deficiency (94%), gaseous problems (54%), poor phytoplankton availability (33%), turbidity (32%), algal blooms (19%), and pH imbalance (11%). Common fish diseases observed were fin rot (48%), tail rot (47%), epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) (31%), argulosis (25%), exophthalmia (24%), dropsy (23%), and gill rot (17%). To mitigate these problems, farmers commonly applied various aqua-drugs and chemicals, such as zeolite (43%), Matrix (18%), Zeorich (13%), and Green Cal Aqua (7%) for pond preparation and fish health management, while potash (41%), Timsen (22%), lime (14%), and Virex (12%) were frequently used for disease treatment. The study also identified significant challenges related to the inappropriate and indiscriminate use of these chemicals, primarily due to farmers’ limited knowledge regarding proper dosages, application methods, and potential impacts. The findings highlight the need for improved training and awareness programs and are expected to support fish farmers in adopting appropriate chemical use for healthier and more sustainable aquaculture practices.

Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 12, No. 3, December 2025: 517-527

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Published

2025-12-28

How to Cite

Most Rakiba Akter, Mst Nahid Akter, Mst Masuma Khatun, Nipa Gupta, Most Mobia Kawsar, & Moumita Habiba Sarmin Dorin. (2025). Present Status of Chemicals and Aqua Drugs Used in The Freshwater Fish Health Management of Kurigram District in Bangladesh. Research in Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries, 12(3), 517–527. https://doi.org/10.3329/ralf.v12i3.86350

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 3 (2025)

Section

Fisheries

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Most Rakiba Akter, Mst Nahid Akter, Mst Masuma Khatun, Nipa Gupta, Most Mobia Kawsar, Moumita Habiba Sarmin Dorin

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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