Resources for Selecting Aquaculture Medications

The fields of aquaculture and fisheries science require safe and effective medications for treating fish diseases and managing fisheries—as well as information to help guide the professionals who administer these medications. �&Բ;The Food and Drug Administration has sole regulatory authority to approve new animal drugs. This page is intended to assist aquaculture professionals find information and determine what treatments are best suited to meet their needs.�

Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Program Quick Desk Reference Guide to Approved Drugs for Use in Aquaculture �&Բ;

Need an easy-to-use resource to help you know what aquaculture drugs are approved by FDA and what they can be used for? Download the Quick Desk Reference Guide to Approved Drugs for Use in Aquaculture�(updated July 2020). �&Բ;Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hard copies will be available for shipment intermittently upon request. If you would like a hard copy, please email Pam Sponholtz with your shipping address, phone number, and the number of copies you would like and we will ship them at our earliest convenience. �

Download the Quick Desk Reference Guide to Approved Drugs for Use in Aquaculture

Contact PAM SPONHOLTZ

American Fisheries Society Guide to Using Drugs, Biologics, and Other Chemicals in Aquaculture  

The Guide to Using Drugs, Biologics, and Other Chemicals in Aquaculture is a comprehensive introduction to the legal and judicious use of regulated products in aquaculture and is a great resource for fish culturists and fish health biologists involved in fish culture. The Guide is intended for informational and educational purposes only. �&Բ;

Investigational New Animal Drugs (INADs) �&Բ;

Investigational New Animal Drugs (INADs) are drugs that are in the approval pipeline but are not yet approved by FDA for use in the United States. Participation in the AADAP National INAD Program requires enrolling in the program which allows access to one or all of the drugs listed below.  �

Investigational New Animal Drugs University

Antibiotic Use in Finfish Fact Sheet� 

In the United States, antibiotics may be used in fish culture for control of bacterial infections, if necessary and under the direction of a U.S. licensed veterinarian. The Antibiotic Use in Finfish Fact Sheet provides helpful information for those considering the use of approved finfish antibiotics.� 

Uses of Fishes in Research� 

The Guidelines for Use of Fishes in Research was developed to provide a structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.

Learn more about structure that advances appropriate attention toward valid experimental designs and procedures with aquatic animals while ensuring humane treatment of the experimental subjects.

Food and Drug Administration Resources �&Բ;

FDA Phish-Pharm 

The Phish-Pharm database was built because information about pharmacokinetic parameters and drug residues in aquatic species (fish, shellfish, crustaceans, etc.) is relatively sparse. Phish-Pharm currently consists of over 700 articles that include data from 191 aquatic species (fish, shellfish, and more). Phish-Pharm enables users to quickly evaluate what information is available on drugs and chemicals studied in fish and to identify research gaps to guide future research.

FDA Approved Fish Drugs �&Բ;

FDA Approved drugs can only be used for specific purposes unless extra-label use is prescribed by a veterinarian. The FDA approves a product, not the active ingredient. For more detailed information, refer to the following resources. �&Բ;

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FDA Low Regulatory Priority Drugs �&Բ;

Low Regulatory Priority drugs are innocuous compounds that have historically been used in aquaculture but will likely never be approved by FDA. The FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine has determined these compounds to be of “low regulatory priority.” �&Բ;

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  • For more information and a list of Low Regulatory Priority compounds, refer to the�) �&Բ;

FDA Aquaculture Guidance - �&Բ;

  • CPG Sec 615.115 Extra-label Use of Medicated Feeds for Minor Species �&Բ;

  • 1240.4200 Drug Use in Aquaculture Enforcement Priorities�(PDF - 506KB) �&Բ;

  • 1240.4210 Extra-label Use of Approved Drugs in Aquaculture�(PDF - 62KB) �&Բ;

 Minor Use / Minor Species (MUMS)

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Extra-label Drug Use and Veterinary Feed Directive Information �&Բ;

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Return to the Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership Program