DISEASES OF MARINE FISHES
57
out by Oppenlieimer and Kesteven (1953), external symptoms of
bacterial infections are often visible only when the fish is under water.
These infections can best be seen in captive fish-in fact most of the
bacterial diseases of marine fishes, such as dermatitis and tuberculosis,
have been observed in captive populations (Aronson, 1926 ; ZoBell,
1946 ; Nigrelli and Vogel, 1963). Bacterial pathogens, because of high
infectivity and short generation time, are observed most commonly
and produce severe effects in marine aquaria. Oppenheimer and
Kesteven (1953) reported that of all external lesions in salt water
aquaria, bacterial tail rot or fin rot was most common. This has been
the author’s conclusion also, based on ten years’ observations of herring
held in captivity for varying periods up to two years. The disease
syndrome included progressive erosion of fins and tail, minute hemorrhages beneath scales, disorientation and roughening and raising of
the integument. Pseudomonas ichthyodermis, the pathogen involved
in Oppenheimer and Kesteven’s study, reached epizootic proportions
during summer, and many species of fishes were infected.
Other examples of skin ulcerations and fin rot of bacterial origin
in captive fishes were reported by Anderson (1911), Riddell and
Alexander (191 l), Wells and ZoBell (1934), Sindermann and Rosenfield
(1954a) and Conroy (1963). Oppenheimer (1958) described a progressive
tail rot disease of cod, Gadus morhua L., held in live boxes, accompanied
by bacteremia and death usually within 48 hours from onset of symptoms. Reinfections were obtained from cultured bacterial isolates, and
the causative organism was characterized as a species of Pseudomonas.
The disease developed in water temperature of 5 to 9”C, and Oppenheimer’s description of symptoms is remarkably similar to that for
herring. An interesting paper by Ford (1928) discusses tail abnormalities in young herring that are highly reminiscent of the effects of
bacterial disease, but which are attributed by the author to “ nibbling ”
by other members of the school.
Lymphocystis disease is not uncommon in marine aquaria. Nigrelli
and Smith (1939) noted that the disease was most abundant in summer
and disappeared in winter. Successive individuals exhibited symptoms
but most infected fish recovered.
“ Velvet disease ” of marine fishes caused by the dinoflagellate
Amyloodinium ocellatum (Brown) has assumed epizootic proportions in
aquaria (Brown, 1934 ; Brown and Hovasse, 1946). Heavy mortality
occurred for three years in the aquarium of the Zoological Society of
London. Both cold-water and subtropical fishes were affected and
mortalities began soon after arrival of specimens from Bermuda.
Primary cause of deaths was the parasitic dinoflagellate Arnyloodinium
1) 2
57
out by Oppenlieimer and Kesteven (1953), external symptoms of
bacterial infections are often visible only when the fish is under water.
These infections can best be seen in captive fish-in fact most of the
bacterial diseases of marine fishes, such as dermatitis and tuberculosis,
have been observed in captive populations (Aronson, 1926 ; ZoBell,
1946 ; Nigrelli and Vogel, 1963). Bacterial pathogens, because of high
infectivity and short generation time, are observed most commonly
and produce severe effects in marine aquaria. Oppenheimer and
Kesteven (1953) reported that of all external lesions in salt water
aquaria, bacterial tail rot or fin rot was most common. This has been
the author’s conclusion also, based on ten years’ observations of herring
held in captivity for varying periods up to two years. The disease
syndrome included progressive erosion of fins and tail, minute hemorrhages beneath scales, disorientation and roughening and raising of
the integument. Pseudomonas ichthyodermis, the pathogen involved
in Oppenheimer and Kesteven’s study, reached epizootic proportions
during summer, and many species of fishes were infected.
Other examples of skin ulcerations and fin rot of bacterial origin
in captive fishes were reported by Anderson (1911), Riddell and
Alexander (191 l), Wells and ZoBell (1934), Sindermann and Rosenfield
(1954a) and Conroy (1963). Oppenheimer (1958) described a progressive
tail rot disease of cod, Gadus morhua L., held in live boxes, accompanied
by bacteremia and death usually within 48 hours from onset of symptoms. Reinfections were obtained from cultured bacterial isolates, and
the causative organism was characterized as a species of Pseudomonas.
The disease developed in water temperature of 5 to 9”C, and Oppenheimer’s description of symptoms is remarkably similar to that for
herring. An interesting paper by Ford (1928) discusses tail abnormalities in young herring that are highly reminiscent of the effects of
bacterial disease, but which are attributed by the author to “ nibbling ”
by other members of the school.
Lymphocystis disease is not uncommon in marine aquaria. Nigrelli
and Smith (1939) noted that the disease was most abundant in summer
and disappeared in winter. Successive individuals exhibited symptoms
but most infected fish recovered.
“ Velvet disease ” of marine fishes caused by the dinoflagellate
Amyloodinium ocellatum (Brown) has assumed epizootic proportions in
aquaria (Brown, 1934 ; Brown and Hovasse, 1946). Heavy mortality
occurred for three years in the aquarium of the Zoological Society of
London. Both cold-water and subtropical fishes were affected and
mortalities began soon after arrival of specimens from Bermuda.
Primary cause of deaths was the parasitic dinoflagellate Arnyloodinium
1) 2