The use of cleaner (ornamental) shrimps is a sustainable solution to control parasitic diseases in cage cultured fish

The use of chemicals in aquaculture to treat parasitic diseases of cultured fish is widespread. In cage culture of marine fish, ornamental fish is used as a biological controller of exotic parasites however, the existing reports about the impossibility of mass production of cleaner fish by artificial reproduction and also their sensitivity to some farmed fish parasites and diseases, has caused to shift to use of cleaner shrimps that can be easily reproduced and mass-produced under artificial conditions and they do not have a common disease with farmed fish. The effect of cleaner shrimp in reducing parasites in farmed fish remains undiscovered. The use of biological control against parasites in aquaculture may reduce the use of chemical interventions. Therefore, investigating the issue of ornamental shrimp (cleaner) culture, due to marine fish culture development, especially in cage culture system is necessary. According to this, research on selection of the appropriate species and providing broodstocks as a priority is suggested to research centers, academic and executive. In addition to provide required shrimp for the marine fish aquaculture sector, this activity should be introduced as a new job in the ornamental aquatics and aquarium market by promoting biotechnology to the people.