Experimental Use Of Antibiotics in Preventing Delayed Mortality in a Bass Tournament on Lake Seminole, Georgia

Oxytetracycline, as a prophylaxis against secondary bacterial infections, was injected into 531 largemouth bass (Micropterus salmaides) which were caught during a fishing tournament on Lake Seminole, Georgia. The injected fish, along with 531 control bass, were held for observation in a 1-acre canal contiguous with the lake. After 19 days, 4.3% of the injected fish had died and 2.2% of the control fish had died. The oxytetracycline was not beneficial in reducing mortality in the released bass.