Prophylactic use of antibiotics in larval culture of Argopecten ventricosus (Sowerby, 1835)

Chloramphenicol, erythromycin and furazolidone were used in larval culture of Argopecten ventricosus at 4 concentrations: 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 6.0 mg/L to evaluate larval survival and prophylactic effect of these antibiotics. The use of concentrations higher than 1.0 mg/L induced a significant (P < 0.05) increase in larval survival. The bacteriostatic effect of antibiotics was studied with direct and indirect bacterial count methods. Total bacteria and Vibrio spp. showed a reduced density in culture tanks (55.6% and 98.1%, respectively), when larvae were treated with 6.0 mg/L of Chloramphenicol and erythromycin. The results of the study indicate that 6.0 mg/L of Chloramphenicol and erythromycin enhance larval condition and survival, reducing potential pathogens in culture tanks.