Chongyu Shen

Although not currently used in U.S. or European aquaculture, malachite green (MG) is still an effective and inexpensive fungicide that is used in other countries, particularly in Asia. During metabolism, MG reduces to leucomalachite green (LMG) (Figure 1), which has been shown to accumulate in fatty fish tissues. Trace levels of MG and LMG residues continue to be found in fish products. In a 2005 report, MG was found in 18 out of 27 live eel or eel products imported from China to Hong Kong local market and food outlets, resulting in a government recall and destruction of all remaining products (1).