Parasites of Fish and Aquaculture and their Control

Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food industry and is expected to be the future primary protein source for animals and humans. Aquaculture development is related to growing environmental awareness and the issues associated with industrial farming. In the commercialization of the aquaculture industry, parasites and health management practices became the primary concerns. The sector’s rapid development has introduced many emerging and re-emerging fish parasites that have led to research opportunities for scientific advances in aquaculture parasitology. Cyprinids are the most preferred fish species cultured in the aquaculture industry and are affected by various parasites. This chapter covers the diseases of freshwater fish of Pakistan and Central Asia, the major freshwater fish species cultured in the region, their health status and the two major categories of diseases, biotic and abiotic. Prevention is better than cure. To avoid the spread of diseases, prophylactic measures and treatment methods with chemicals, plant extracts, antibiotics and others are discussed from past and present perspectives.