FISH DISEASE; PAST PAPER QUESTIONS

QN: write short notes on the following agents/compounds used for treatment of different diseases in
fish.

a) Chloramine T (5 marks)

Has an effect against myxobacteria, Costia, Trichodina, White spot and Gyrodactylus. Is a very useful
part of a treatment regime with benzalkonium chloride, with broader spectrum than benzalkonium but
lacks detergent effect. This calls for a sequential use of benzalkonium chloride followed by chloramine T
so as to apply detergent before the disinfectant. It is applied by bath where 50-200g/100l are used for
12hr exposure at 4 hour exposure intervals, to be repeated 3 times. The dose depends on pH, at lower
pH , <7, use lower dose and at higher pH use high dose.

b) Sodium chloride (salt) (5 marks)

Used for

a. Treatment of ectoparasitc infections such as Costia and Chilodonella

b. Treatment of alevins with coagulated yolks

c. Also in the treatment of Bacterial gill disease

d. Inhibit growth and multiplication of the fungi (even less than 10 ppt)

e. Counteracts osmotic stress in affected fish with skin damage and subsequent skin loss

Application

By dip: 20 30 g/L until fish show signs of stress

By bath: 10-15 g/L for 20 minutes
Permanent bath: 5g/L

NB. None of the treatments arrests the fungal growth totally.

c) Potassium permanganate (5 marks)

Used for treatment of protozoal and monogenean parasites, Bacterial Gill Disease and oxygen
depletion.

Application

By bath: 500 mg/100 L for 1 hour.

By dip: 100g/100L for 10-40 seconds.
If organic load is high, repeat treatment after 24 hours.
 For emergency oxygenation use 200 mg/100L or 300-400 mg/100L if high organic load is
present.

d) Benzalkonium chloride (5 marks)

A blend of quaternary ammonium compounds

A Powerful disinfectant with an additional detergent. It is usually used together with chloramine T but
because of its cleaning effect, it is applied before chloramine T to remove any dirt entrapped by mucus
so as to facilitate the action of the later chemical.

NB. These two chemicals are not mixed together.

Uses: Treatment of external bacterial infections such as Bacterial Gill Disease where myxobacteria
multiply within a film of mucus on the gills.

Application:

1) By bathing
10 mg/L for 5-10 minutes
5 mg/L for 30 minutes
2 mg/L for 1 hour
1 mg/L for several hours
2) By prolonged immersion
Doses of 0.1-0.5 mg/L have been used in domestic ponds
In general, lower doses are preferred

QN with relevant examples, describe salient features for differentiating between one flagellate and
two ciliate protozoan parasites with potential to cause serious mortalities in fish.( 20 marks)

The flagellate protozoan is Ichthyobodo spp causing Costia, the two ciliate protozoans are
Ichthyophthirius multifiliis causing white spot disease (ich) and Trichodinia species.

Differences between the three parasites

Ichthyobodo spp Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Trichodinia species.

Moves using flagella
Affects all freshwater spp
Found in two forms, free
swimming form on the host or
attached to and feed on the
epithelial cells.
Free swimming form is kidney
shaped with a pair of flagellae
Moves using cillia
Affects all freshwater
Has two stages of life cycle: the
mature form, trophont and the
youthful stage tomites.
Parasite: sphere, covered in
short cilia with characteristic
Moves using cilia
Affects both freshwater and
marine spp
All have saucer-shaped with
fringe of cilia around the
Attached form is pear-shaped
and attached to the gills and skin
slow, rolling movement in fresh
gill and skin preparations
With characteristic slow, rolling
movement
has dark cytoplasm within which
a paler nucleus is found
Has a horseshoe shaped nucleus
Is spherical in shape
Cilia on the outside
perimeter. A circular
arrangement of tooth-like
structures within the body gives
them a characteristic
appearance in fresh gill and skin
preparations
Browse over the surface of the
gills and skin with spinning
motion
Has a paler cytoplasm and a
darker nucleus
Has a round nucleus
Is saucer shaped
Cilia around the perimeter

QN. Give a detailed account on the procedures for collection of blood samples for diagnosis of viral
diseases; and preparation of gill and skin wet preparations for screening of ecto-parasites in Nile
tilapia. (20 marks)

Collection of blood samples

Hold the fish firmly, ventral surface uppermost. Take the sample from a point on the midline just
anterior to the caudal peduncle, behind the anal fin, aiming downwards and slightly forwards until the
needle just touches the vertebral column. It may be necessary to rotate the needle slightly before slowly
and steadily withdrawing the sample. Blood is withdrawn from the caudal vein.

Preparation of gill wet preparations

The operculum is cut carefully to avoid damage to the gill filaments. A slide is taken and held vertically
over the gills and gently used to scrap off some fluid from the gill surface. The sample is smeared on
another slide and the same procedure repeated on the gills of the opposite side. A drop of water is
added to the sample, the sample is covered with a cover slip and put under a microscope for
observation.

Preparation of skin wet preparations

A fish is laid down and before the skin dries, A slide is taken and held vertically over the skin and gently
used to scrap off some fluid from the skin surface. The sample is smeared on another slide and a drop of
water is added. The sample is covered with a cover slip and then put under a microscope for
observation.
QN write short notes on five (5) compounds used for treatment of protozoan ectoparasite infections
in fish. (20marks)

a) Chloramine T

Has an effect against myxobacteria, Costia, Trichodina, White spot and Gyrodactylus. Is a very useful
part of a treatment regime with benzalkonium chloride, with broader spectrum than benzalkonium but
lacks detergent effect. This calls for a sequential use of benzalkonium chloride followed by chloramine T
so as to apply detergent before the disinfectant. It is applied by bath where 50-200g/100l are used for
12hr exposure at 4 hour exposure intervals, to be repeated 3 times. The dose depends on pH, at lower
pH , <7, use lower dose and at higher pH use high dose.

b) Formalin

Useful for treatment of ectoparasitic infections of fish particularly the protozoa, Costia (Ichthyobodo),
Trichodina and Chilodonella and also effective against monogenic skin and gill flukes such as
Dactylogyrus and Gyrodactylus

Application is by:

By bath: 17-25 mL/100 L for 30-60 minutes

By prolonged immersion: 2mL/100 L for 12 hours

NB. It has some deoxygenating effect and toxicity so should be used with great care

c) Copper sulphate

Useful in treating ectoparasitic infections especially in marine aquaria

Dip and bath treatments are not recommended

For long term exposure, use copper concentration of 0.1-0.2 mg/L, and this level need to be maintained
in the tank for at least 10 days

d) Leteux-meyer mixture

Combination of formalin and malachite green

By bath: 2.5 mL/100 L for 1 hour

By prolonged immersion: 1.5 mL/100 L as 3 treatments at intervals of 3-4 days when appropriate

e) Potassium permanganate

Used for treatment of protozoal and monogenean parasites, Bacterial Gill Disease and oxygen depletion.
Application

By bath: 500 mg/100 L for 1 hour.

By dip: 100g/100L for 10-40 seconds.
If organic load is high, repeat treatment after 24 hours.
For emergency oxygenation use 200 mg/100L or 300-400 mg/100L if high organic load is
present.

QN. Give a brief account on the following

a) An important fungal disease in fresh water fish. (5marks)

Saprolegniasis; The most important freshwater fungal pathogen in fish culture. It grows on any dead
organic matter in water. The fungus is ubiquitous and may affect all fish species. It Usually acts as a
secondary invader to;

Damaged fish/ wounded fish

Fish, which has been compromised by other disease, malnutrition
Environmentally stressed fish

Predisposing factors include high organic loading in the water and Presence of large biomass of fish or
eggs in which the fungus thrives

Other stressful factors are Handling and Grading

Saprolegnia infection is Usually worse at lower temperatures because of lowered immunity and lowered
healing response to damaged tissues.

Sexually mature fish are more susceptible due to hormonally controlled skin changes

b) Trematode infections in fish. (5marks)

These are of two types: Gill and skin flukes; Dactylogyrus and Gyrodactylus respectively. They command
Worldwide distribution and are Found in freshwater and marine water

They are Microscopic worms 2 mm long and Attach to the surface by posterior hooked attachment
organ

Damage is caused by penetration of the attachment organ and the browsing action of the mouth.

c) White spot disease in fish. (10marks)

It is caused by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, a Ciliate up to 1 mm in diameter. It affects freshwater fish

worldwide and its Equivalent in marine water is Cryptocaryon
It is a spherical Parasite, covered in short cilia with characteristic slow, rolling movement in fresh gill and
skin preparations.

Mature form, the trophont, has dark cytoplasm within which a paler horseshoe shaped nucleus is found.
It has a direct life cycle, but spent partially off the host.

The trophont is found within the epidermis of the host where it consumes cellular material and is seen
grossly as a white spot.

Mature parasite leaves the fish, encysts and divides to produce many host seeking tomites. Tomites
penetrate the skin and gills of the fish to complete the life cycle.

When mature trophonts digest their way out if the skin they irritate the fish and produce lesions which
are open to secondary bacterial infections. If there are many parasites, they will cause large skin lesions
leading to osmoregulatory disturbances, epithelial hyperplasia and disturbance of gill functions,
Restless, inappetent and signs of irritations, Skin sloughing with ragged fins and evidence of white spots.

Chemical treatment is only effective in free swimming stages of the parasites and repeated treatment is
necessary to eliminate the free swimming stages as they occur.

Treatment regime vary with temperature

Three treatments at 5 day intervals at 16oC

Three treatments at 14 day intervals at 10oC
QN Write short notes on the following;

a) Chloramine T (5 marks)

Has an effect against myxobacteria, Costia, Trichodina, White spot and Gyrodactylus. Is a very useful
part of a treatment regime with benzalkonium chloride, with broader spectrum than benzalkonium but
lacks detergent effect. This calls for a sequential use of benzalkonium chloride followed by chloramine T
so as to apply detergent before the disinfectant. It is applied by bath where 50-200g/100l are used for
12hr exposure at 4 hour exposure intervals, to be repeated 3 times. The dose depends on pH, at lower
pH , <7, use lower dose and at higher pH use high dose.

b) Sodium chloride(5 marks)

Used for

a. Treatment of ectoparasitc infections such as Costia and Chilodonella

b. Treatment of alevins with coagulated yolks

c. Also in the treatment of Bacterial gill disease

d. Inhibit growth and multiplication of the fungi (even less than 10 ppt)

e. Counteracts osmotic stress in affected fish with skin damage and subsequent skin loss

Application

By dip: 20 30 g/L until fish show signs of stress

By bath: 10-15 g/L for 20 minutes

Permanent bath: 5g/L

c) Gill and skin flukes (5 marks)

These are also called; Dactylogyrus and Gyrodactylus respectively. They command Worldwide
distribution and are Found in freshwater and marine water

They are Microscopic worms 2 mm long and Attach to the surface by posterior hooked attachment
organ

Damage is caused by penetration of the attachment organ and the browsing action of the mouth.

d) Argulus(5 marks)

Causes branchiura and is the Most important member in the group of crustaceans. It is commonly
known as Freshwater fish louse

Large dorso-ventrally flattened crustacenas up to 1 cm long. It commands Worldwide distribution and

affects Many host species

It is frequently found on the head of fish and also sheltered areas behind the fins.

Its movement from Fish to fish is common and Can survive extended periods off the host.

Mating takes place on the host then the Females leave the fish to lay eggs on the vegetation which
Hatch to actively host-seeking larvae

Parasites feed by piercing the epidermis with a stylet and digesting skin tissue causing haemorrhagic
ulcers which are prone to secondary infections.

Attachment hooks on the underside of the parasite cause mechanical damage and Heavy infections
cause high loses especially in young fish

Mortalities can also occur due to secondary bacterial infections

 e) Ciliate protozoan parasites of fish (10marks)

These are of two types which include;

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis; which causes white spot disease (ich).

It is a Ciliate up to 1 mm in diameter. It affects freshwater fish worldwide and its Equivalent in marine
water is Cryptocaryon

It is a spherical Parasite, covered in short cilia with characteristic slow, rolling movement in fresh gill and
skin preparations.

Mature form, the trophont, has dark cytoplasm within which a paler horseshoe shaped nucleus is found.
It has a direct life cycle, but spent partially off the host.

The trophont is found within the epidermis of the host where it consumes cellular material and is seen
grossly as a white spot.

Mature parasite leaves the fish, encysts and divides to produce many host seeking tomites. Tomites
penetrate the skin and gills of the fish to complete the life cycle.

Trichodinia spp

Three genera for Trichodina complex; Trichodina, Trichodonella and Tripartiella.

They command Worldwide distribution and affect both freshwater and marine fish species.

They are up to 100 in diameter and all are saucer-shaped with fringe of cilia around the perimeter

A circular arrangement of tooth-like structures within the body gives them a characteristic appearance
in fresh gill and skin preparations.

They browse over the surface of the gills and skin with spinning motion, damaging the host tissues and
consuming the resulting tissue debris

QN describe the procedures for carrying out health examination and collection of blood samples in
tilapia. (10 marks)

A fish is first observed for any visible external abnormalities. These include; eyes for exophthalmia, fins
for any damage or hemorrhages, skin for any hemorrhages or ulcers.

The fish is laid down and before the skin dries, a slide is taken and held vertically over the skin and
gently used to scrap off some fluid from the skin surface. The sample is smeared on another slide and a
drop of water is added. The sample is covered with a cover slip and then put under a microscope for
observation.
Hold the fish firmly, ventral surface uppermost. Take the sample from a point on the midline just
anterior to the caudal peduncle, behind the anal fin, aiming downwards and slightly forwards until the
needle just touches the vertebral column. It may be necessary to rotate the needle slightly before slowly
and steadily withdrawing the sample. Blood is withdrawn from the caudal vein

The operculum is cut carefully to avoid damage to the gill filaments. A slide is taken and held vertically
over the gills and gently used to scrap off some fluid from the gill surface. The sample is smeared on
another slide and the same procedure repeated on the gills of the opposite side. A drop of water is
added to the sample; the sample is covered with a cover slip and put under a microscope for
observation.

The fish is dissected to open up the abdominal cavity and examine internal organs. Organs examined for
abnormalities are the liver, spleen and gastro-intestinal tract.

The swim bladder is cut open to expose the kidney and a swab is used to collect fluid from the kidney by
rubbing against it. The sample is put under the microscope for bacteriological examination.

QN Name five (5) different parasites that have the potential to affect gills of fish (5marks)

QN While working as the director of the breeding Centre of fish in Mbarali, you are informed that
about ten valuable breeding fish have died due to a suspected disease. On that regard, give an outline
of how you will perform the following:

a. Type of information you will; collect while observing the pond. (5 marks)

Visual appearance of water quality i.e. turbidity

Are fish swimming actively or not?

Abnormal movements e.g. spiral swimming motion.

Side swimming which may be caused by physical trauma

Jumping which may be excessive if there are ecto parasites

Flushing; fish rubbing on their surroundings may be parasite

Respiratory activity; fish may be hyperventilating or crowding near inflows

Colour; sick fish appear darker than usual

Body surface abnormalities like excess mucus and superficial lesions

Feed response; fish may be offered food to observe their feeding response.
 b. Type of questions you will ask to the pond attendant while examining the pond. (5 marks)

When did the fish start dyeing?

What is the source of water?

Has any treatment been offered?

How many fish are in the pond?

What management procedures have recently been undertaken?

Has it been seasonal or related to a particular age group?

c. How you will collect blood samples; and other samples from the kidney, gills and gastro-
intestinal tract for disease diagnosis. (15 marks)

Hold the fish firmly, ventral surface uppermost. Take the sample from a point on the midline just
anterior to the caudal peduncle, behind the anal fin, aiming downwards and slightly forwards until the
needle just touches the vertebral column. It may be necessary to rotate the needle slightly before slowly
and steadily withdrawing the sample. Blood is withdrawn from the caudal vein.

The operculum is cut carefully to avoid damage to the gill filaments. A slide is taken and held vertically
over the gills and gently used to scrap off some fluid from the gill surface. The sample is smeared on
another slide and the same procedure repeated on the gills of the opposite side. A drop of water is
added to the sample, the sample is covered with a cover slip and put under a microscope for
observation.

The fish is dissected to open up the abdominal cavity. The swim bladder is cut open to expose the kidney
and a swab is used to collect fluid from the kidney by rubbing against it. The sample is put under the
microscope for bacteriological examination.

The GIT is cut open and a sample taken from gut contents. It is put on a slide and a drop of water is
added then covered with a cover slip. It is put under the microscope for observation.

QN Write short notes on the following:

a) formalin (5marks)

Useful for treatment of ectoparasitic infections of fish particularly the protozoa, Costia (Ichthyobodo),
Trichodina and Chilodonella and also effective against monogenic skin and gill flukes such as
Dactylogyrus and Gyrodactylus

Application is by:

By bath: 17-25 mL/100 L for 30-60 minutes

By prolonged immersion: 2mL/100 L for 12 hours

NB. It has some deoxygenating effect and toxicity so should be used with great care

b) Chloramine T (5 marks)

Has an effect against myxobacteria, Costia, Trichodina, White spot and Gyrodactylus. Is a very
useful part of a treatment regime with benzalkonium chloride, with broader spectrum than
benzalkonium but lacks detergent effect. This calls for a sequential use of benzalkonium chloride
followed by chloramine T so as to apply detergent before the disinfectant. It is applied by bath
where 50-200g/100l are used for 12hr exposure at 4 hour exposure intervals, to be repeated 3
times. The dose depends on pH, at lower pH , <7, use lower dose and at higher pH use high dose.

QN How can tap water become poisonous to cultured fish?

Tap water usually contains chlorine, which is applied to water as a disinfectant to make it fit for
domestic use. Chlorine burns gill filaments of fish causing asphyxia, a condition where fish fail to take in
oxygen hence die.

QN With relevant examples, discuss the health implications in fish resulting from damage of gills (10
marks)

When gills are damaged, fish will suffer from three kinds of stresses;

Reduced gaseous exchange

Gill filaments are responsible for gaseous exchange and any damage to them means impaired
respiration resulting to death.

Reduced immunity

Gills contain goblet cells which secrete mucus. This mucus traps any microorganisms acting as a first line
of defense. When gills are impaired, this function is lost and the fish is vulnerable to infection.

Impaired osmoregulation

Gills contain chloride cells whose function is to reabsorb ions lost with water in fresh water fish and
pump out excess ions in salt water fish.

QN Give a brief account on the following:

a) Branchiura (5marks)

Caused by argulus spp which is the Most important member in the group of crustaceans. It is commonly
known as Freshwater fish louse

Large dorso-ventrally flattened crustacean up to 1 cm long. It commands Worldwide distribution and

affects Many host species

It is Frequently found on the head of fish and also sheltered areas behind the fins.
Its movement from Fish to fish is common and can survive extended periods off the host.

Mating takes place on the host then the Females leave the fish to lay eggs on the vegetation which
Hatch to actively host-seeking larvae

Parasites feeds by piercing the epidermis with a stylet and digesting skin tissue causing haemorrhagic
ulcers which are prone to secondary infections.

Attachment hooks on the underside of the parasite cause mechanical damage and Heavy infections
cause high loses especially in young fish

Mortalities can also occur due to secondary bacterial infections

Symptoms include:

Irritation, lethargy, loss of body condition

Parasites and lesions are obviously seen
Secondary fungal infections may develop
Can transmit viral infections

Treatment:

Organophosphates are effective

Draining and drying will kill all stages of parasites
Also periodic removal of vegetation with attached eggs will help reduce the number
b) Exophthalmia (5marks)

Exophthalmia is a bulging of the eye anteriorly out of the orbit. It is caused by impaired osmoregulation
causing the soft tissue of the eyes to fill with water hence pushing the eye ball out of its orbit.

QN Discuss the similarities, differences and relationships between the following.

a) Benzalkonium chloride and chloramine T (6 marks)

Benzalkonium chloride is used in treatment of external bacterial infections such as Bacterial Gill Disease
where myxobacteria multiply within a film of mucus on the gills whereas chloramine T Has an effect
against myxobacteria, Costia, Trichodina, White spot and Gyodactylus.

Benzalkonium chloride has a detergent effect while chloramine T lacks a detergent effect.

Chloramine T has a broader spectrum than benzalkonium chloride.

Chloramine T is affected by pH while benzalkonium chloride is not affected.

Both chloramine T and benzalkonium chloride are applied by bathing.

The relationship between the two is that they are more useful when used together, with chloramine T
coming after benzalkonium chloride.

b) Dip and bath treatment procedures in fish. (4 marks)

The similarity is that in both, the fish are completely submerged into water containing the treatment
chemical.

The difference is that dip method takes only a very short time usually seconds while bath takes a long
time usually hours.

The relationship is that the strength and toxicity of the chemical determines the method to be used. The
stronger the chemical, the less the time for application and vice versa.