A comparative trial of garlic, its extract and ammonium-potassium tartrate as anthelmintics in carp

While fish chemotherapy is not a common practice in México, folk medicine is usually well accepted by fish farmers. Empirical knowledge suggested that garlic should have anthelmintic properties. Various trials were carried out in Cyprinus carpio infested with Capillaria sp., using minced garlic and its extracts. An empirical concentration of 200 mg/l of minced garlic showed the greatest activity against the above mentioned worms (100%). The hexane extract in equivalent amounts showed a 75% effectiveness while the aqueous extract showed no anthelmintic effect. The addition of ammonium-potassium tartrate to the tanks (1.5 mg/l) gave a 86% anthelmintic effectiveness.