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# Killing Fish Egg Fungus with a Disinfectant
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/killing_fish_egg_fungus_with_a_disinfectant_0218150140/
- Published: 2015-02-18T14:39:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T15:59:52.000Z
- Description: USDA toxicologist David Straus found peracetic acid, a stabilized mix of concentrated vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, killed fungus on catfish eggs without leaving residues that harm young fish. It disinfects wastewater and hospital items but is not yet used in US aquaculture.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Sci-Tech, #vivvo-import

ARS News Service  
Agricultural Research Service, USDA  
\--View this report online, plus photos and related stories, at[www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr](http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr?ref=foodconsumer.org)   
\--Follow us on Twitter at [http://twitter.com/USDA\_ARS](http://twitter.com/USDA%5FARS?ref=foodconsumer.org)

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| **Read the [magazine story](http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/feb15/fungus0215.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org) to find out more.**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
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| [![Photo: Two hands holding a cluster of fungus-free channel catfish eggs. Link to photo information](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f5/c2/f5c28c07-f2c7-440d-8161-125a09d9bc91/content/images/2026/08/84be033de3b8d4efdb3d962dc768ade34130dda7.jpg "Two hands holding a cluster of fungus-free channel catfish eggs")](http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/feb15/d3381-1.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org)ARS scientists have found peracetic acid—a stable mix of acetic acid (concentrated vinegar) and hydrogen peroxide—could kill fungus on catfish eggs without the residue issues of pesticides. *Click the image for more information about it.* |
| ![For further reading](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f5/c2/f5c28c07-f2c7-440d-8161-125a09d9bc91/content/images/2026/08/1c756f094a072a0c3cddd783ba6a867146f98a75.gif) [Using Clay to Fight Fish Disease](http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2015/150114.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org) [Catfish Industry Embraces USDA Pond Management Research](http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2014/140124.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org) [Lending a Hand in Hybrid Catfish Production](http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2013/131205.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org)                                                                                                                             |

## Killing Fish Egg Fungus with a Disinfectant

By [Sandra Avant](http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/contacts.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org#Sandra)  
February 18, 2015

A disinfectant has the potential to treat fungus on catfish eggs, according to [U.S. Department of Agriculture](http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?ref=foodconsumer.org) (USDA) research.

Peracetic acid—a stabilized mixture containing acetic acid (concentrated vinegar) and hydrogen peroxide—killed fungus on catfish eggs in a study conducted by toxicologist[David Straus](https://www.ars.usda.gov/pandp/people/people.htm?personid=5453&ref=foodconsumer.org), who works at the[Agricultural Research Service](https://www.ars.usda.gov/main/main.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org)'s (ARS) [Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center](https://www.ars.usda.gov/main/site%5Fmain.htm?modecode=60-28-10-00&ref=foodconsumer.org) in Stuttgart, Arkansas. ARS is USDA's principal intramural scientific research agency, and this research supports the USDA priority of promoting international food security.

Fungal infections in hatchery-reared catfish eggs can result in serious losses. Peracetic acid does not produce any residues that would harm young fish or the environment, according to Straus. At low doses, it safely and effectively breaks down rapidly into harmless residues.

In the United States, the compound is used to disinfect wastewater and sterilize items for hospitals and the food industry, but it has not been used yet for aquaculture. However, in Europe, peracetic acid is considered a safe and effective replacement for banned chemicals and antibiotics. It is used in Germany and Denmark to control fungus and other pathogens on adult fish and is very effective against several parasites.

In a study, Straus and his collaborator from Germany evaluated the effectiveness of five peracetic acid concentrations—2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 20 parts per million (ppm)—in preventing fungus from growing on catfish eggs. Fungal growth was severe in the group that received no treatment, resulting in 11 percent survival compared to 60 percent survival in the group treated with the low rate of 2.5 ppm, which was determined to be a safe treatment.

Straus and his colleagues are conducting toxicity studies in other species of fish to ensure that the compound is safe before treating them.

[Read more](http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/feb15/fungus0215.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org) about this research in the February 2015 issue of *Agricultural Research* magazine.