Possible safer substitute to replace malachite green?

[bekateen]

Srivastav, A.K. & Roy, D. 2015. Effects of malachite green (Triarylmethane dye) and Pyceze (Bronopol) on the hematological parameters of a freshwater catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch). International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 2(6), 119-122

ABSTRACT
Malachite green is an extensively used biocide in the aquaculture industry world-wide. It has been widely
used due to lack of a proper alternative. Pyceze, however, is a pharmaceutical alternative to malachite
green, with bronopol as its active ingredient. The catfish

Heteropneustes fossilis

were exposed for four
days to 1/5th of LC50 values of each of malachite green (0.24mg/l) and Pyceze (0.42mg/l). Different
hematological parameters were evaluated. After four days total red blood corpuscles (RBC),
haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscles hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and
mean corpuscles hemoglobin (MCH) values exhibited significant decrease whereas total white blood
corpuscles (WBC), clotting time (CT) and mean corpuscles volume (MCV) values were increased in fish
of both groups when compared with controls. The present study clearly indicates the toxic effects of
these chemicals on hematological parameters of fish. However, exposure to malachite green was found to
be more toxic than to Pyceze.

Perhaps this new product, Pyceze, might be a safer antifungal medication (than malachite green) for sensitive catfish.