Nano formulations as curative and protective agent for fish diseases: Studies on red spot and white spot diseases of ornamental gold fish Carassius auratus

Abstract

In the present study prevention and treatment of ornamental gold fishes against red spot and white spot diseases was attempted using silver nanoparticles. The uptake of silver nanoparticles and the biochemical changes were studied and their resultant toxicity was also studied. The starch stabilized silver nanoparticles could penetrate all tissues including the brain through Blood Brain Barrier. The results also demonstrated a cure from red spot and white spot diseases within 3days without showing any toxicity. The fishes showed immediate cure from infection and the infection was not observedfor more than one year till the death of the fish and hence a one time dose may give life long protection at very low concentration (10ng/g body weight) by simple bathing method. This is the first report on silver nanoparticle treatment forprotozoan and fungal infection in fishes (Patent application 2267/CHE/2012)