Channel Catfish Virus Disease

Channel catfish with extensive hemorrhaging on the skin due to CCVD (American Fisheries Society).

Channel catfish virus disease (CCVD) is a severe infection of farmed channel catfish. The disease usually infects fish less than 4 months old and can result in sudden mortalities, sometimes up to 100% in a population. CCVD has been reported in most southern states and in other areas of the United States where catfish are grown. Outbreaks are highest from June to September.

The virus can be transmitted from fish to fish and possibly from parents to offspring.

From Bottom to Top: the catfish become progressivly swollen as the disease progresses.(American Fisheries Society)

Typical signs of the disease that may be present include: swollen stomach, “pop eyes”, pale or bleeding gills and hemorrhaging areas at the bases of fins and throughout the skin. Infected fish swim in an erratic pattern before sinking to the bottom and dying. Internally, the virus attacks the kidneys, liver, and pancreas.