Uses and Impact of Aqua Drugs and Chemicals on Shrimp Production in Khulna Region of Bangladesh

Abstract

The present study was carried out to know the available aqua drugs and chemicals and their impact on shrimp production. Data were collected through questionnaire interview with fish farmers, drug sellers, personal contact and market survey from selected area of Khulna region. Ten categories of drugs and chemicals were identified that have been using by shrimp farmers for different purposes. The categories included pond preparation and water quality management, antibiotics, disinfectants, gas removal, oxygen supplier, vitamins and minerals, growth promoter, insect killer and predator.The companies included Fish Tech, Renata, Firstcare, ACI, ACME, Square, Samco, Novartis, Eon, Opsonin, Al Madina, Rals, Organic, Padma, Nature care, Advance and SK+F etc. Farmers of the selected area used mainly Renamycin, Amoxifish, Timsen, Aquamysine, Ossi-C, Aquamycin, Virex, Aqua kleen, Geolite gold, Oxy Dox F, Polgard plus, Charger gel, Aqua magic, Bactisal, Acurtc Gold, Super Biotic, Oxy life, Dolomitic, pH Fixer and Calmag for shrimp culture. The present study revealed that commercial aqua drugs have some positive impact on shrimp production. It was observed that farmers of the selected areas got good results in shrimp production by applying single or combinations of various aqua-drugs and chemicals. Average shrimp production was 300 kg/acre in chemical treated extensive farms and 5000 kg/acre in chemical treated semi-intensive farms on the otherhand, the production was 150 kg/acre in control farms (where no drugs and chemicals were used).