Experimental control of Columnaris sisease with a new Nitrofuran drug, P-7138

P-7138 is a new, broad-spectrum, vinylogous, nitrofuran chemotherapeutic that was developed specifically for treating fish diseases. Although it can be added to the diet of fish, therapeutic tissue levels can be obtained in eels (Anguilla japonica) and goldfish (Carassius auratur) by absorption of the drug directly from the water. Moreover, the drug is eliminated from the tissues within hours and shows a low level of toxicity (Shimizu and Takase 1967).

The purpose of the present study was to deterime 910 the efficacy of P-7138 in controlling an experimentally induced Chrondrococcus columnaris infection, 920 the absorption and elimination rates, and 930 the degree of acute and chronic toxicity to coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kitutch).