ABSTRACT: The antiparasitic efficacy of praziquantel against the blood-sucking polyopisthocotylean Microcotyle sebastis was tested in an experimental cage simulating commercial rockfish-culture conditions. Juvenile rockfish Sebastes schlegeli were separated into 4 pilot net-pens, and the fish in the groups were either fed a control diet (Group C), fed a praziquantel-adsorbed diet (Group F), bathed in 100 ppm praziquantel for 4 min (Group B), or bathed in 100 ppm praziquantel for 4 min and then fed a praziquantel-adsorbed diet (Group BF). The results of the present study indicate that feeding a praziquantel-adsorbed diet significantly reduces the abundance of M. sebastis infestation, and bathing in 100 ppm praziquantel for 4 min is effective for controlling M. sebastis infestation in practical rockfish culture systems.

KEY WORDS: Praziquantel · Microcotyle sebastis · Sebastes schlegeli · Treatment efficacy

Published in DAO Vol. 40, No. 3 (2000) on April 20
ISSN: 0177-5103. Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2000