Ultraviolet light control of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet in a closed fish culture recirculation system

. A closed fish culture recirculation system consisting of 36 20-gallon aquaria in series with a rotating plate biofilter, a diatomaceous earth filter, and an ultraviolet (UV) light sterilizer was evaluated for the effectiveness of UV light in preventing spread of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. Water from the aquaria, the reservoir, and a valve 29 cm beyond the UV light source was analysed bacteriologically to assess its effectiveness. The spread of I multifiliis from one aquarium to another was controlled with 91 900 μW s/cm8 of UV light. No significant differences in the bacterial counts from the water of the reservoir or the aquaria could be demonstrated when the UV light was either on or off, although a significant difference could be demonstrated between the sterilizer effluent and the reservoir and aquaria.