How to get rid of carp louse? - briefly
Treat infected fish with an approved antiparasitic agent (e.g., formalin or praziquantel) according to prescribed dosages while maintaining clean, well‑filtered water. Disinfect tanks, quarantine new arrivals, and keep water quality optimal to avoid recurrence.
How to get rid of carp louse? - in detail
Carp lice, also known as Argulus spp., attach to the skin, gills, and fins of fish, causing irritation, anemia, and secondary infections. Effective control requires a combination of environmental management, chemical treatment, and biological strategies.
First, reduce parasite load by removing organic debris. Vacuum the substrate, discard uneaten feed, and perform a complete water change of 30–50 % weekly until the outbreak subsides. Increase water flow through filtration or aeration to discourage lice settlement.
Second, apply an anti‑parasite medication approved for use in aquaculture. Common options include:
- Formalin at 25–50 mg L⁻¹ for 30 minutes, repeated after 48 hours.
- Hydrogen peroxide at 150 mg L⁻¹ for 2 hours, with a second dose after 24 hours.
- Diphenoxylate‑based products at the manufacturer’s recommended concentration, applied as a bath for 30 minutes.
Follow the product label precisely; overdose can stress fish, underdose may leave survivors. After treatment, filter the water to remove dead parasites and rinse all equipment.
Third, implement biological control. Introduce predatory copepods (e.g., Mesocyclops) that consume lice larvae. Maintain a temperature of 20–25 °C and a pH of 7.0–7.5 to support copepod populations.
Fourth, enforce quarantine for new stock. Isolate incoming fish for at least two weeks, treat with a low‑dose diphenoxylate bath, and inspect for lice before integration.
Finally, monitor the pond regularly. Examine a sample of fish weekly; count attached lice on fins and gills. If counts exceed 5 per fish, repeat the chemical bath cycle and reassess environmental conditions.
Consistent application of these measures eliminates the parasite, restores fish health, and prevents recurrence.