Sustainable aquaculture requires environmental-friendly treatment strategies for fish diseases

Many classical therapeutants are going to be banned in Europe, and an urgent need for alternatives is emerging. This issue can be exemplified by one major parasitic disease in aquaculture and ornamental fish breeding: velvet disease. This disease, caused by dinoflagellates of the genera Amyloodinium and Piscinoodinium, is an important infection affecting cultured freshwater and marine ornamental and food fish, and consistently causes great financial loss to the associated industries. Therapeutants available contain copper, malachite green, or methylene blue, and which can be toxic to non-target organisms in the surrounding environment. As a result, these chemicals are banned for use by the aquaculture industry in several countries, and a prohibition for commercial ornamental fishkeeping is likely to follow in most countries. Increasing development of resistance to therapeutants, and growing public awareness for animal welfare and environmental protection, have prompted research in the areas of alternative treatment options and immunostimulants. Hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid are possible 'green' therapeutants which do not contribute residues to the environment. Natural feed supplements such as pre- and probiotics can increase animal welfare and prevent stress and/or infections. Humic substances are another promising, natural immunostimulants which will be considered in depth. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of risks and benefits of current treatment options and new approaches to replace harmful therapeutants and minimize the number of toxic residues discharged into the environment. Treatments will be discussed on various parasitic infections and focus, where available, on Amyloodinium and Piscinoodinium.