Piscamycin
Controls Invasive Fish and Helps Restore Native Fish Populations
Piscamycin™ is a product designed to control invasive fish species, such as carp. It is based on Antimycin A, a natural compound produced through fermentation by Streptomyces. ISC holds an exclusive license for Piscamycin from the US Geological Survey (USGS). Additionally, ISC has a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the USGS to facilitate the resubmission of the product’s registration to the EPA, produce it for research and commercial sale, and enhance both fermentation processes and product formulations for future generations. ISC will also collaborate with the USGS to create species-specific bait formulations, develop low-dose application methods, and expand the product’s label to make Piscamycin accessible to a broader range of users.
Antimycin A has been a proven solution for fish control for decades. The treatment protocols are well established, with detailed information on the sensitivities of various fish species, as well as non-target organisms.
Piscamycin is a trademark of the USGS.
Report: Toxicity of a Management Bait for Grass Carp
Currently, there is no technology capable of selectively targeting grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) for control in aquatic ecosystems. The only registered pesticides available—rotenone and carbon dioxide—are nonselective, affecting both target and native species when applied throughout the water. A more selective control method would enhance resource managers' ability to support mitigation efforts.
Developing delivery systems that exploit grass carp feeding behavior could improve pesticide selectivity and reduce impacts on native fish. Such methods could also lower labor demands and integrate more seamlessly into pest management strategies.
This study evaluated the toxicity of Antimycin A in juvenile and sub-adult grass carp and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) via two exposure routes: waterborne and oral. Water-based toxicity tests determined the 24-hour LC50 (lethal concentration for 50% mortality), while oral gavage studies assessed LD50 (lethal dose for 50% mortality) from 24 to 96 hours.
Rainbow trout were more sensitive to Antimycin A through water exposure, but oral toxicity was comparable between the two species, despite their differing gastrointestinal structures. A lethal dose of Antimycin A was successfully delivered to grass carp via oral administration using a rapeseed-based bait, demonstrating potential for pesticide registration and use in integrated pest management. While a single bait pellet could contain a lethal dose, larger quantities were needed to achieve effective mortality under lab conditions.
