WHAT IS FORMALIN

Use of Formalin to Control Fish Parasites




INTRODUCTION

Formalin is a generic term which describes a solution of 37% formaldehyde gas dissolved in water. Solutions of formalin for use on fish should contain 10 to 15% methanol, which inhibits formation of paraformaldehyde (discussed below), a highly toxic compound. Two commercial products have been approved for use in aquaculture by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These are Formalin-F sold by Natchez Animal Supply, Natchez, Miss. and Paracide-F, sold by Argent Chemical Laboratories, Redmond, Wash. Both of these products have been approved by FDA for use on food fish (trout, salmon, catfish, largemouth bass and bluegill) as a parasiticide. There is no legal withdrawal time (time after the chemical was used before fish can be slaughtered for food) for either of these products.
HOW IS FORMALIN USED IN AQUACULTURE?

Formalin is used as a bath treatment to control external parasitic infections of fish. It is extremely effective against most protozoans, as well as some of the larger parasites such as monogenetic trematodes. Formalin effectively kills parasites on gills, skin, and fins. It is not the preferred treatment for external bacterial or fungal infections. In addition, high concentrations of formalin are used to control fungi on fish eggs. Formalin is not effective against internal infections of any type.
SPECIAL CONCERNS REGARDING THE USE OF FORMALIN
Concerns for safety of personnel

1. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen. It should only be handled by personnel wearing protective clothing such as gloves.
2. Formaldehyde is a noxious gas. Formalin must be kept in a sealed container in a well-ventilated area. Exposure to fumes will result in irritation to eyes and respiratory surfaces.
3. Some people develop a sensitivity to formalin over a period of time which involves repeated handling of the chemical. These individuals should avoid handling the chemical.

Concerns for safety of fish

1. Formalin chemically removes oxygen from the aquatic environment. Each 5 mg/l of formalin applied removes 1 mg/l of dissolved oxygen. This is one reason why use of formalin in ponds is discouraged.
2. Formalin is an algicide. When applied to pond water, formalin kills a portion of the algae present, thereby reducing the ability of the algae to produce oxygen through photosynthesis. Further decreases in oxygen in the pond can result as the dead algae decompose.
3. Formalin should be stored in an area where it is protected from extremes of heat and cold. Never use formalin when storage temperatures fall below 40°F (5°C) or when a white precipitate (powder) is present. At cold temperatures formaldehyde is transformed into paraformaldehyde (white precipitate), a highly toxic material which will kill fish on contact.
4. Formalin toxicity is increased at high water temperatures. If water temperatures exceed 70°F (21°C), the concentration used should be decreased.
5. When treating parasites on sensitive species, such as hybrid striped bass, the concentration of formalin delivered in a prolonged bath should not exceed 10 mg/l.

APPLICATION OF FORMALIN AS A PARASITICIDE FOR FISH

Formalin is applied as a bath treatment. It can be applied as a prolonged bath, which means it is placed into the water indefinitely, or it can be applied as a short-term bath, which means fish are placed into the bath for a relatively short period of time (30 to 60 minutes) and then placed into clean (untreated) water. The concentration of chemical used is determined by the period of time the fish are to be in contact with the chemical, the temperature of the water, and the condition of the fish. Extremely sick fish may not be able to tolerate a "full" treatment. Any time fish exhibit signs of distress (i.e., darting, gasping, or trying to jump out of the water) during a chemical treatment, they should be placed into clean (untreated) water at once.

The concentration of formalin appropriate for a prolonged bath is 15 to 25 mg/l. The lower concentration, 15 mg/l, would be appropriate for pond use, however, the use of formalin in ponds is discouraged for several reasons which are discussed below. The higher concentration, 25 mg/l, is easily applied to aquaria and tanks at 1 milliliter (ml) per 10 gallons, or 2 drops per gallon. These are quick and easy ways of measuring this concentration. Any time formalin is applied, vigorous aeration must be provided.

For short-term baths a concentration of 250 mg/l, or 1 ml per gallon, can be delivered for 30 to 60 minutes. At moderate water temperatures (less than 70°F or 21°C), fish can be left in a 250 mg/l formalin bath for about one hour; however, if fish are weak or noticeably sick, the treatment should be discontinued after 30 minutes. Never exceed one hour of chemical exposure at this concentration. If fish show signs of distress before the allotted time has elapsed, they should be removed from the treatment immediately. At warmer water temperatures (greater than 70 0 F or 21 0 C) the concentration of formalin should be decreased to 150 mg/l for no more than one hour. Vigorous aeration must be provided to fish during treatment.

If you are uncertain how to calculate the amount of formalin needed to treat your system, contact your IFAS county extension agent for assistance.
USE OF FORMALIN IN FISH PONDS

Although formalin has historically been used to control protozoan infestations of fish in ponds, its use in aquaculture ponds is generally discouraged. First, it is quite expensive, and large volumes are needed to treat even a small pond. Other, less expensive chemicals, such as potassium permanganate, are available which have the same spectrum of activity as formalin, but are more cost effective for commercial use. Second, formalin chemically removes dissolved oxygen from water, and this action, along with its algicidal activity, creates a situation which is conducive to development of an uncontrollable oxygen depletion. The direct cost and risk associated with use of formalin in fish ponds make its use in ponds difficult to justify.
USE OF FORMALIN IN HAULING BOXES

Any time fish are moved from one facility to another, there is concern about the potential spread of disease between populations. The potential spread of many protozoan diseases can be eliminated by treating fish for parasites while they are still in the hauling box. Ideally this should be done before they are transported, but if that is not possible, treatment of fish in the hauling box is a reasonable option.

To provide a formalin treatment to fish while they are still in the hauling box, water in the box must be tempered so that it is similar to receiving water in terms of temperature and pH before the treatment is started. When this is done properly, the treatment may be halted at any time by simply opening the box and releasing the fish into the pond. In addition, constant vigorous aeration must be available during the treatment. If these precautions have been taken care of, formalin can be applied as it would be for any short-term bath (150 to 250 mg/l based on water temperature for 30 minutes). Remember: never leave fish unattended during treatment, and never leave fish in the formalin bath for more than 60 minutes.
USE OF FORMALIN IN HATCHERIES TO CONTROL FUNGUS ON EGGS

Formalin is approved by FDA for control of fungi in fish hatcheries. Concentrations of 1000 to 2000 mg/l can be applied to fish eggs for 15 minutes to aid in control of fungus. Hatchery managers are reminded that sanitation is important for the prevention of fungal invasions on fish eggs. Dead eggs should be removed from the system promptly because they serve as a source of infection for adjacent, healthy eggs.

SUMMARY

Formalin is a liquid formulation of 37% formaldehyde gas dissolved in water. Two brands of formalin, Formalin-F (Natchez Animal Supply, Natchez, Miss.) and Paracide-F (Argent Chemical Laboratories, Redmond, Wash.), have been approved by FDA as parasiticides for use on fish. Formalin is effective against many external parasites, including protozoans and monogenetic trematodes. It is not generally considered the best treatment for external fungal or bacterial infections. Formalin can be delivered in a short-term bath at a concentration of 250 mg/l - or 150 mg/l if water temperature is greater than 70°F (21°C) - for no more than 60 minutes. It can be delivered as an indefinite bath at a concentration of 15 to 25 mg/l. Formalin is an excellent parasiticide for use in tanks and aquaria, but its use in ponds is discouraged because it chemically removes oxygen from the water and can contribute to catastrophic oxygen depletion under pond conditions. This is avoided in tanks and aquaria by always supplying vigorous aeration when formalin is used. High concentrations of formalin (1000 to 2000 mg/l for 15 minutes) can be used to control fungal infections on fish eggs; however, appropriate management practices must be implemented to prevent recurrence.
Footnotes

1.This document is VM-77, one of a series of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Date published April 1996. Please visit the FAIRS Web site at http://hammock.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.Ruth Francis-Floyd, Joint Associate Professor, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences and Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.

Benih Ketutu AQUACLIQ Sdn Bhd

Assalamualaikum dan salam sejahtera.

Untuk makluman semua peminat ikan ketutu, pihak kami telah memberhentikan sementara penjualan benih keluaran kami sendiri buat masa ini. Penjualan benih kami sendiri akan di úpdate kan di sini nanti.

Walaubagaimanapun, pihak kami berbesar hati untuk memberikan ruang kepada rangkaian kami untuk mengedarkan benih ketutu aruhan mereka sendiri iaitu

Company name: Aquacliq Sdn Bhd
Contact no. 012-2825919
Contact person: Eric Lim
Local artificial breed Marble Goby / Ikan Ketutu 1'' @RM1.50
Quantity: customer requirement
Pickup Area: PJ

Pakar bidang IT terjun ke kolam ternakan

Oleh LAUPA JUNUS
laupa.junus@utusan.com

Ikan keli yang diternak oleh syarikat Dimensi Rebana sentiasa mendapat permintaan.

Bukan mudah bagi seorang yang sudah lama berkecimpung dengan bidang yang diminati, tiba-tiba sahaja mengambil keputusan untuk beralih arah.

Berkecimpung dalam perniagaan komputer sejak 1986 dengan memiliki ijazah sarjana muda dalam sistem pengurusan maklumat dan pemasaran serta ijazah sarjana bidang perniagaan (MBA) dari Amerika Syarikat, sepatutnya sudah memberi jaminan hidup tetapi empunya diri enggan meneruskan kerjaya dalam bidang berkenaan.

''Saya sudah bosan," katanya ringkas ketika ditanya sebab meninggal bidang glamor itu.

Bagi Hanafiah Abdul Rahman, 47, usahawan akuakultur yang ditemui Mega di ladangnya di Sungai Petani, Kedah, baru-baru ini, beliau menceburi bidang penternakan ikan adalah kerana minat semata-mata..

Hanafiah, anak kelahiran Kampung Sri Terubok, Masjid Tanah, Melaka, memberitahu, meskipun tidak mempunyai kemahiran dalam industri akuakultur tetapi usaha gigih memperoleh maklumat dan pengetahuan daripada pelbagai sumber.

Antara sumber rujukannya ialah kajian universiti, rakan penternak Kampuchea di Pekan Pahang dan di Cheroh, Raub, serta penternak bangsa Cina di Malaysia dan di Thailand, selain Internet.

Selepas ilmu penuh di dada, Hanafiah dengan yakin menubuhkan syarikat Dimensi Rebana Sdn Bhd. yang memulakan operasi pada 2006.

Ketika itu, tujuan asal perniagaannnya ialah menjual ikan air tawar ke restoran makanan laut Cina di sekitar Lembah Klang, Gohtong Jaya, Bukit Tinggi dan Karak, Pahang.

Ketika inilah beliau mula memahami selok belok perniagaan dan pasaran ikan termasuk cara menghantar, kaedah penyimpanan, putaran perniagaan, kerenah pembeli, orang tengah dan pelbagai aspek lain.

Dengan beroperasi dari sebuah rumah kedai di Jalan Klang Lama, Petaling Jaya, perniagaan pembekalan ikan air tawar Hanafiah semakin hari semakin semakin dikenali.

Namun beliau tidak berpuas hati kerana selalu menghadapi masalah bekalan yang berterusan, lantas memberi idea untuk mengembangkan sayap perniagaan kepada aktiviti baru iaitu menternak sendiri ikan tersebut.

Hanafiah mengambil keputusan menternak pelbagai spesies ikan iaitu ketutu, krai, tengalan dan haruan.

''Banyak masalah kami hadapi kerana kurang ilmu pengetahuan dalam teknologi penternakan serta makanan dan paling membelenggu ialah kesukaran mendapat benih, '' katanya.

Sebab itu, keputusannya untuk mengusahakan sendiri ternakan tepat pada masanya memandangkan bekalan benih menjadi masalah besar kepada penternak.

Beliau menganggarkan pelaburan membina infrastruktur menghampiri angka RM500,000 dan ia boleh dianggap berbaloi kerana melibatkan banyak spesies ikan untuk dibiakkan.

Pada masa ini, Dimensi Rebana memiliki ladang di Kampung Bukit Kecil, Simpor, Tikam Batu Sungai Petani yang dilengkapi dengan 17 buah kolam konkrit bersaiz 20 kaki x 100 kaki x 2 kaki.

Selain itu, ladang terbabit juga mempunyai enam unit kolam bersaiz 10 kaki x 20 kaki x empat kaki yang semuanya digunakan untuk ternakan ikan ketutu.

Tiga unit daripada kolam digunakan untuk penetasan ikan sepat siam.

Ladang tersebut kini memiliki hampir 1,200 ikan ketutu seberat antara 200 gram dan 1.2 kilogram (kg).

Meskipun menternak ketutu sangat penting kepada ladang tersebut, infrastruktur juga ditambah untuk menternak spesies lain.

Terdapat 20 buah kolam konkrit (ukuran 20 kaki x 25 kaki x 4 kaki) dan dua buah kolam (ukuran 20 kaki x 50 kaki x 4 kaki) untuk ternakan kira-kira ikan tengalan, Krai, ikan jelawat, induk tilapia, puyu siam, sepat siam dan ikan patin buah selain 12 unit kolam tanah yang pembenihan ikan keli dan zooplankton (Moina sp).

Apa yang menarik, kemudahan tersebut dibina oleh syarikat terbabit tanpa membabitkan pihak luar. Ladang dan pusat pembenihan ini di uruskan oleh adik ipar Hanafiah iaitu Suhaimi Md. Isa sejak 2003 lagi.

Syarikat terbabit kini boleh berbangga memandangkan hasrat untuk menjadi pembekal benih berjaya disempurnakan.

Malah, permintaan sentiasa ada dan untuk tujuan itu pembenihan aruhan dijalankan untuk meningkatkan jumlah benih ikan yang diternak.

Menurut Hanafiah, pasaran ikan sungai sentiasa ada kerana semakin ramai meminatinya tetapi bekalan agak terhad.

Katanya, hampir 70 peratus benih ikan air adalah di import dari luar terutamanya Thailand dan Indonesia.

Tambahan pula, ikan sungai menjadi hidangan istimewa di kalangan penggemarnya.

Beliau kini mampu menghasilkan anak keli pada jumlah 500,000 ekor sebulan ikan ketutu pada kadar 20,000 ekor sebulan manakala ikan sepat 200,000 ekor sebulan.

Selain membekalkan benih, Dimensi Rebana pada mulanya hanya tertumpu kepada perniagaan pemborong ikan air tawar dan air laut juga mula berjinak-jinak menceburi bidang pemakanan ikan. Selain itu syarikat juga menjual ubat ubatan dan peralatan akuakultur.

Hanafiah berkata, beliau berjaya dalam usahanya menghasilkan sendiri pelet untuk makanan air tawar termasuk ketutu.

Rumusan makanan ikan itu agak menarik kerana dihasilkan daripada bahan yang mudah diperoleh dan sesuai untuk diberi makan kepada ketutu, keli dan puyu.

''Ikan ketutu ini tidak makan pelet tetapi ada cara bagaimana menjadikannya penggemar pelet iaitu mengajarnya berpuasa terlebih dahulu sebelum memberi makan,"ujarnya.

Pelet tersebut dihasilkan daripada ikan bilis, dedak padi, minyak ikan dan tepung ubi sebagai binder.

Jika semuanya berjalan lancar, selain mengeluarkan anak benih, formula makanan ikan itu menjadi teras kekuatan kepada syarikat tersebut yang dibangunkan dengan bantuan rakannya.

Ikan ketutu yang biasanya berharga kira-kira RM100 seekor seakan menjadi ternakan emas dan dianggarkan nilainya sangat tinggi.

''Malah di Hong Kong, pasaran ketutu sangat lumayan," ujar Hanafiah.

Dengan kejayaan dan kemampuan sedemikian, Dimensi Rebana kian menampakkan kemampuannya dan kini menawarkan kursus ternakan ketutu selain pemprosesan makanan ikan.

Kepakaran dalam pembenihan aruhan ikan ketutu, puyu, krai, tengalan sepat, ketam dan pelbagai spesies lagi menunjukkan kemampuan syarikat terbabit tidak boleh dipertikaikan.

Tanpa bantuan daripada agensi perbankan, syarikat terbabit yang mempunyai jaringan hubungan rapat dengan penternak ikan di Pekan, Maran, Temerloh, Cheroh di Pahang serta Sungai Petani, Kuala Sanglang dan Tanjung Dawai di Kedah, membuktikan potensi industri akuakultur untuk dimajukan.