Method of using emamectin to treat fish parasites

Abstract

A method of eliminating, reducing or preventing parasites in a fish population is provided by feeding emamectin or a salt thereof to the fish population at a daily dose of 25 μg to 400 μg per kg of fish biomass per day for a period of 3-14 days. Also provided is a kit for preparing a medicated fish feed for eliminating, reducing or preventing parasites in a fish population, the kit having a supply of emamectin or a salt thereof and printed instructions for feeding the emamectin or emamectin salt at a daily dose of 25 μg to 400 μg per kg of fish biomass per day for a period of 3-14 days

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of eliminating, reducing or preventing parasites in a fish population, comprising feeding emamectin or a salt thereof to said fish population at a daily dose of 25 μg to 400 μg per kg of fish biomass per day for a period of 3-14 days.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the parasites are endoparasites.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein emamectin benzoate is used.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the parasites are ectoparasites.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein emamectin benzoate is used.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein emamectin benzoate is fed at a rate of 25 to 100 μg/kg of fish biomass/day for at least 7 days.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein emamectin benzoate is fed at a rate of 50 to 75 μg/kg of fish biomass/day for at least 7 days.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the parasites are sea lice and the daily dose is administered for at least 7 days.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein emamectin benzoate is fed at a rate of 25 to 100 μg/kg of fish biomass/day.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein emamectin benzoate is fed at a rate of 50 to 75 μg/kg of fish biomass/day.  
     
     
         11 . A kit for preparing a medicated fish feed for eliminating, reducing or preventing parasites in a fish population, comprising a supply of emamectin or a salt thereof and printed instructions for feeding the emamectin or emamectin salt at a daily dose of 25 μg to 400 μg per kg of fish biomass per day for a period of 3-14 days.  
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the emamectin is emamectin benzoate and the instructions recite a daily dose of 25 μg to 100 μg per kg of fish biomass per day for a period of 7-14 days.  
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions recite a daily dose of 50 μg to 75 μg per kg of fish biomass per day for a period of 7-14 days.  
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions recite a daily dose of 50 μg per kg of fish biomass per day for a period of 1 week.  
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the emamectin benzoate is in a pre-mix comprising 0.01 to 1% by weight of the emamectin benzoate.  
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the pre-mix comprises: 
 (a) 0.01 to 1% by weight emamectin benzoate;    (b) 0.001 to 0.2% by weight of a preservative;    (c) 1 to 4% by weight of propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol; and    (d) QS diluent.    
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the pre-mix comprises 
 (a) 0.2 wt. % emamectin benzoate;    (b) 0.01 wt. % butylated hydroxyanisole:    (c) 2.5 wt. % propylene glycol;    (d) 49.8 wt. % cornstarch; and    (e) QS maltodextrin M-100.