Diseases

Bacteriology

Many different tests are run in the bacteriology lab to order to determine the presence of disease-causing bacteria. (Ryan Katona LFHC)

Bacteria are one-celled microscopic organisms which live and grow naturally in nearly all environments. In a balanced ecosystem, bacteria and fish can live in harmonious equilibrium. Aquaculture practices, however, often disrupt the normal balance between fish and environmental bacteria. Crowding, improper flow rates, poor water quality, handling and poor diet can all offset the natural balance between fish and the environmental bacteria, thus increasing the fish's susceptibility to pathogenic organisms.

Bacterial diseases that we screen fish for include:

Bacterial Kidney Disease

Enteric Redmouth

Enteric Septicemia

Furunculosis

Streptococcus bacteria showing circular areas of antibiotic sensitivity. (Eric Leis LFHC)

Virology

Aquareovirus: These EPC (Epithelioma papulosum cyprini) cells are infected with Aquareovirus. Notice
the giant cells (arrows), characteristic of the cytopathic effect of Aquareoviruses. (Sarah Bauer LFHC)

Viruses are submicroscopic parasites that infect cells and cause damage or destruction to them. All known viruses are infective agents and are often specific to a particular host organism. Many viral infections will not produce symptoms.

Viral diseases that we screen fish for include:

Channel Catfish Virus Disease

Epizootic Epitheliotropic Virus Disease

Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis

Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis

Large Mouth Bass Virus

Spring Viremia of Carp Virus

Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus

Cells are cultured and monitored for the cytopathic effects of viruses. (Ryan Katona LFHC)

Parasitology

Three anchor worms; small crustaceans that are external parasites of fish. (LFHC)

A parasite is an animal which lives in or on another animal (the host). The parasite depends on its host for food and causes injury by inducing tissue and organ damage. This damage increases the fish's susceptibility to secondary bacterial infections. Parasites can also serve as carriers of viral and bacterial diseases.

A bluegill showing the characteristic tiny white spots caused by Ich; an external parasite of fish. (LFHC)

Parasites that we screen fish for include:

Asian Fish Tape Worm

Bass Tape Worm

Salmincola

Whirling Disease

Ich

Yellow Grub

Black Spot Disease

Fungal Diseases

Saprolegnia