RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Herbal therapy is a potentially beneficial alternative for fish aquaculture, since it may be cheaper and more effective than chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro efficacy of Ficus insipida latex on monogeneans of Colossoma macropomum gills. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate the anthelmintic activity, four concentrations of F. insipida latex (250, 500, 750 and 1000 µL/L) and exposure time to cause immobilization on monogeneans were used. In addition, two control groups, being one with water from the breeding tank and the other with breeding water from the tank + 70% ethyl alcohol were used. RESULTS: At the concentration of 250 µL/L of F. insipida latex, the immobilization of the monogeneans occurred after 4 h of exposure, while at the concentration of 500 µL/L, it occurred after 2 h. At the concentrations of 750 and 1000 µL/L of F. insipida latex, the immobilization of the monogeneans occurred after 1 h and 30 min, respectively. After exposure to 250 µL/L of F. insipida latex, 100% of immobilization of monogeneans was observed within 4 h, to 500 and 750 µL/L, 100% immobilization occurred within 4 h and to 1000 µL/L, 100% mortality occurred after 2 h. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, we recommended the use of 1000 µL/L of F. insipida latex for therapeutic baths in of C. macropomum against monogeneans, after previous test of toxicity.