What are the prevention and treatment methods for saprolegniasis in loach?

The pathogen of saprolegniasis in loach

It is caused by fungi of the genera Saprolegnia and Achlya in the family Saprolegniaceae, order Saprolegniales, class Oomycetes, subdivision Mastigomycotina, phylum Fungi, parasitizing the body surface of the loach. This disease occurs easily during the hatching stage of loach; when the water temperature is relatively low, fertilized eggs are most susceptible to this disease.

Symptoms of saprolegniasis in loach

Grayish-white, soft, cotton-like growths visible to the naked eye form on the body surface of diseased loach. The fish is overburdened, swims abnormally, loses appetite, and eventually dies from weakening.

Prevention and treatment methods for saprolegniasis in loach

1. Try to avoid injuring the fish body; disinfect the loach fry before they are put into the pond.

2. If fertilized eggs are infected, soak them in a mixed solution of 0.04% table salt and 0.04% baking soda for 10-15 minutes, for 2 consecutive days.

3. When loach are infected, splash a mixed solution of 0.04% baking soda and table salt over the whole pond.

4. Soak in 3%-4% salt water for about 7 minutes, and splash the whole pond with a 1 mg/L bleaching powder solution.