Aquaculture Health Management: Fungal Diseases of Fish
Published: January 28, 2008
By: Ruth Ellen Klinger and Ruth Francis-Floyd - College of Veterinary Medicine, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida
Fungi are grouped by the morphology of various life stages. All fungi produce spores--and it is these spores which readily spread disease. The fungal spore is like a seed which is resistant to heat, drying, disinfectants and the natural defense systems of fish. The three most common fungal diseases are discussed here. They are known as Saprolegniasis, Branchiomycosis, and Ichthyophonus disease.
SAPROLEGNIASIS
Saprolegniasis is a fungal disease of fish and fish eggs most commonly caused by the Saprolegnia species called "water molds." They are common in fresh or brackish water. Saprolegnia can grow at temperatures ranging from 32° to 95°F but seem to prefer temperatures of 59° to 86°F. The disease will attack an existing injury on the fish and can spread to healthy tissue. Poor water quality (for example, water with low circulation, low dissolved oxygen, or high ammonia) and high organic loads, including the presence of dead eggs, are often associated with Saprolegnia infections. The presence of Columnaris bacteria or external parasites are also common with Saprolegniasis.
Disease Signs
Saprolegniasis is often first noticed by observing fluffy tufts of cotton-like material--colored white to shades of gray and brown--on skin, fins, gills, or eyes of fish or on fish eggs. These areas are scraped and mounted on a microscope slide for proper diagnosis. Under a microscope, Saprolegnia appears like branching trees called hyphae.
Management and Control
Saprolegniasis is best prevented by good management practices--such as good water quality and circulation, avoidance of crowding to minimize injury (especially during spawning), and good nutrition. Once Saprolegnia is identified in an aquatic system, sanitation should be evaluated and corrected. If mortality is in progress, medication is appropriate. Common treatments include potassium permanganate, formalin, and povidone iodine solutions. Overtreatment can further damage fish tissue, resulting in recurring infections. Environmental management is essential for satisfactory resolution of chronic problems.
BRANCHIOMYCOSIS
Branchiomyces demigrans or "Gill Rot" is caused by the fungi Branchiomyces sanguinis and Branchiomyces demigrans . Branchiomycosis is a pervasive problem in Europe, but has been only occasionally reported by U.S. fish farms. Both species of fungi are found in fish suffering from an environmental stress, such as low pH (5.8 to 6.5), low dissolved oxygen, or a high algal bloom. Branchiomyces sp. grow at temperatures between 57° and 95°F but grow best between 77° and 90°F. The main sources of infection are the fungal spores carried in the water and detritus on pond bottoms.
Disease Signs
Branchiomyces sanguinis and B. demigrans infect the gill tissue of fish. Fish may appear lethargic and may be seen gulping air at the water surface (or piping). Gills appear striated or marbled with the pale areas representing infected and dying tissue. Gills should be examined under a microscope by a trained diagnostician for verification of the disease. Damaged gill tissue with fungal hyphae and spores will be present. As the tissue dies and falls off, the spores are released into the water and transmitted to other fish. High mortalities are often associated with this infection.
Management and Control
Avoidance is the best control for Branchiomycosis. Good management practices will create environmental conditions unacceptable for fungi growth. If the disease is present, do not transport the infected fish. Great care must be taken to prevent movement of the disease to noninfected areas. Formalin and copper sulfate have been used to help stop mortalities; however, all tanks, raceways, and aquaria must be disinfected and dried. Ponds should be dried and treated with quicklime (calcium oxide).
ICTHYOPHONUS DISEASE
Icthyophonus disease is caused by the fungus, Icthyophonus hoferi . It grows in fresh and saltwater, in wild and cultured fish, but is restricted to cool temperatures (36° to 68°F). The disease is spread by fungal cysts which are released in the feces and by cannibalism of infected fish.
Disease Signs
Because the primary route of transmission is through the ingestion of infective spores, fish with a mild to moderate infection will show no external signs of the disease. In severe cases, the skin may have a "sandpaper texture" caused by infection under the skin and in muscle tissue. Some fish may show curvature of the spine. Internally, the organs may be swollen with white to gray-white sores.
Management and Control
There is no cure for fish with Icthyophonus hoferi ; they will carry the infection for life. Prevention is the only control. To avoid introduction of infective spores, never feed raw fish or raw fish products to cultured fish. Cooking helps destroy the infective life stage. If Icthyophonus disease is identified by a trained diagnostician, it is important to remove and destroy any fish with the disease. Complete disinfection of tanks, raceways, or aquaria are encouraged. Ponds with dirt or gravel bottoms need months of drying to totally eliminate the fungus.
SUMMARY
Fungal diseases are often indicative of a more serious problem. Saprolegniasis is a common fungal disease which affects the external surfaces of fish. It can be eliminated easily after the primary cause of illness has been identified and corrected. On the other hand, Branchiomycosis, a relatively new problem in the U.S., has caused high mortalities in cultured fish, and is difficult to control. Ichthyophonus disease is a systemic fungal disease and once it enters the fish, there is no cure. The best control for all fungal infections is good management: good water quality, good nutrition and proper handling.
Footnotes
1. This document is Fact Sheet VM 97, one of a series of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Date printed February 1996. Please visit the FAIRS Web site at http://hammock.ifas.ufl.edu.
2. Ruth Ellen Klinger, Large Animal Clinical Science, biological scientist; and Ruth Francis-Floyd, extension veterinarian for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, associate professor, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.
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