FDA approves new medication for freshwater fish

Washington

- A new drug that promises to combat coldwater disease in freshwater fish has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Terramycin 200 for Fish Type A (oxytetracycline dihydrate) is the second drug approved for use during coldwater disease outbreaks. It can control mortality in freshwater salmonids, according to the FDA. The drug would be used to control coldwater disease caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilim in salmonids and columnaris disease associated with Flavobacterium columnare in Oncorhynchus mykiss.

The FDA's approval of Terramycin also allows for the removal of the temperature limitation on previously approved salmonid indications, according to the FDA.

To ensure human food-safety requirements concerning antimicrobial drugs, the FDA reviewed Center for Veterinary Medicine guidelines and concluded that fish given the drug according to the approved label directions are safe to consume.

Terramycin is made by Phibro Animal Health of Ridgefield Park, N.J.