DAO 51:101-106 (2002)  -  doi:10.3354/dao051101

ABSTRACT: The efficacy of teflubenzuron (Calicide^®) for the treatment of farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. infested with sea lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer, 1838), was investigated at low water temperatures in 2 commercial salmon farms. Calicide^®, coated on commercial feed pellets, was administered orally at 10 mg kg^-1 d^-1 for 7 consecutive days. Fish were randomly sampled and lice numbers recorded from both treated and control groups on 3 or 4 sampling occasions post-medication. Statistically significant reductions in the number of L. salmonis per fish were recorded. Maximum efficacy was observed toward chalimus and preadult stages of L. salmonis, and was achieved approximately 26 d post-medication. No adverse drug reactions or palatability problems were associated with the treatments.

KEY WORDS: Sea lice · Lepeophtheirus salmonis · Efficacy · Teflubenzuron