Understanding the definition and classification of fish medicines in one article
A drug refers to a substance used to prevent, treat and diagnose diseases and to help the body restore normal function. As the name implies, a fishery drug refers to a drug specifically used in fisheries to ensure the healthy growth of aquatic animals and plants. Therefore, its scope of application is limited to the aquaculture and enhancement industry, while substances used in capture fisheries and the aquatic product processing industry are not included in the category of fishery drugs. Modern aquaculture fisheries are divided into two major parts: the culture and enhancement of various aquatic animals such as fish, shrimp, shellfish, turtles and soft-shelled turtles, and the cultivation of aquatic plants mainly consisting of algae such as nori and kelp. Therefore, fishery drugs are likewise divided into two parts, aquatic plant drugs and aquatic animal drugs, which may also be called aquatic drugs. Aquatic animal drugs have a relatively close relationship with veterinary drugs, while aquatic plant drugs have a relatively close relationship with pesticides. It should be pointed out that at present, international research, development and application of fishery drugs are mainly concentrated on aquatic animal drugs, so fishery drugs are often narrowly limited to aquatic animal drugs.
Fishery drugs are an important weapon for humans in combating diseases, pests and harmful organisms of aquatic animals and plants, and are also an important means of improving the health of aquatic animals and plants and promoting their growth and development. The purpose of applying fishery drugs is to ensure and increase fishery output. The main characteristic of aquaculture fisheries is that all cultured species must live in water, and various water bodies are usually the habitats or breeding grounds of microorganisms, parasites and a wide variety of aquatic organisms; water is also an excellent solvent for chemical substances and a suspending agent for organic matter and dust. Under the influence of human factors, especially under unfavorable culture conditions, such as deterioration of water quality, conditions are easily created for the occurrence and spread of diseases. Therefore, as a fishery drug it must have one of the following 8 functions, namely: (1) treating diseases; (2) preventing diseases; (3) eliminating and controlling harmful organisms; (4) improving the culture environment; (5) improving body health; (6) enhancing the body's disease resistance; (7) promoting growth; (8) disease diagnosis. However, water and aquatic products are both important components of human life, and there is no absolute boundary between drugs and poisons. Improper use of fishery drugs can directly or indirectly affect human and animal health or the environment and ecology. Therefore, as a fishery drug the following must also be considered: (1) safety; (2) accumulation; (3) environmental pollution. In other words, fishery drugs are also subject to pharmaceutical law.
According to the properties and functions of fishery drugs, our definition of fishery drugs is: all substances used to increase the output of aquaculture and enhancement fisheries, to prevent, control and treat diseases, pests and harmful organisms of aquatic animals and plants, to promote the healthy growth of cultured species, to enhance the body's disease resistance and to improve the quality of aquaculture water. All fishery drugs must comply with the relevant national regulations on drug management.
Drugs are usually classified according to pharmacological action. However, because pharmacological research on fishery drugs is still insufficient, they are basically classified according to purpose of use.
1. Environment improvers: drugs used for the purpose of improving the aquaculture water environment, including substrate improvers, water quality improvers and ecological condition improvers.
2. Disinfectants: drugs used for the purpose of killing microorganisms (including protozoa) in water bodies.
3. Antimicrobial drugs: drugs that kill or inhibit the reproduction and growth of microorganisms in the body through oral administration or injection. These include antiviral drugs, antibacterial drugs, antifungal drugs, etc.
4. Insecticidal and deworming drugs: drugs that kill or expel external or internal parasites through medicated baths or oral administration, as well as drugs that kill harmful invertebrates in water bodies. These include antiprotozoal drugs, anthelmintics and anti-crustacean drugs, etc.
5. Metabolism-improving and tonic drugs: drugs used for the purpose of improving the body metabolism of cultured species, enhancing body constitution, recovery after illness and promoting growth. They are usually used as feed additives.
6. Chinese herbal medicines: processed or unprocessed medicinal plants used for the purpose of preventing and treating diseases of aquatic animals and plants or improving the health of cultured species, also known as natural drugs.
7. Biological products: preparations made through biochemistry or biotechnology, usually with special functions. These include vaccines, immune activators, certain hormones, biological water purifiers, etc.
8. Others: drugs used as adjunctive therapy, including antioxidants, anesthetics, antifungal agents, synergists, etc.
The purpose of classifying fishery drugs is to facilitate their use. In fact, some drugs have multiple functions; for example, lime both improves the environment and has a disinfecting effect. Certain commercial drugs, through scientific formulation, can have antibacterial and health-care functions. With advances in pharmaceutical science and technology, the classification may reasonably change.