Fish diseases and parasites

Save

Like humans and other animals, fish suffer from diseases and parasites. Fish defences against
disease are specific and non-specific. Non-specific defences include skin and scales, as well as the
mucus layer secreted by the epidermis that traps microorganisms and inhibits their growth.
If pathogens breach these defences, fish can develop inflammatory responses that increase the flow
of blood to infected areas and deliver white blood cells that attempt to destroy the pathogens.
Specific defences are specialised responses to particular pathogens recognised by the fish's body,
that is adaptative immune responses.[3] In recent years, vaccines have become widely used
in aquaculture and ornamental fish, for example vaccines for furunculosis in farmed salmon and koi
herpes virus in koi.[4] [5]
Some commercially important fish diseases are VHS, ich and whirling disease.
Disease

A veterinarian gives an injection to a goldfish

All fish carry pathogens and parasites. Usually this is at some cost to the fish. If the cost is
sufficiently high, then the impacts can be characterised as a disease. However disease in fish is not
understood well.[6] What is known about fish disease often relates to aquaria fish, and more recently,
to farmed fish.
Disease is a prime agent affecting fish mortality, especially when fish are young. Fish can limit the
impacts of pathogens and parasites with behavioural or biochemical means, and such fish have
reproductive advantages. Interacting factors result in low grade infection becoming fatal diseases. In
particular, things that causes stress, such as natural droughts or pollution or predators, can
precipitate outbreak of disease.[6]
Disease can also be particularly problematic when pathogens and parasites carried by introduced
species affect native species. An introduced species may find invading easier if potential predators
and competitors have been decimated by disease.[7]
Pathogens which can cause fish diseases comprise:

viral infections
bacterial infections, such as Pseudomonas fluorescens leading to fin rot and fish dropsy
fungal infections
water mould infections, such as Saprolegnia sp.
metazoan parasites, such as copepods
unicellular parasites, such as Ichthyophthirius multifiliis leading to ich
Certain parasites like Helminths for example Eustrongylides

Fish Diseases and Parasites

Fish are constantly exposed to a wide variety of diseases and parasites that occur in surface waters. Fish
are subject to infection by disease-causing viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Fish are also parasitized by
tapeworms, trematodes (grubs), nematodes (roundworms), leeches, and lice. Most of these organisms
normally occur at low levels in farm ponds and in limited numbers on the fish. Some parasitized fish in a
pond are not unusual. However, large numbers of infected fish are cause for concern since slow growth,
sterility, stunted populations, and massive fish kills may result from extensive diseases and parasite
infestations.

Fortunately, fish diseases and parasites seldom reach epidemic levels, and sudden, large fish kills in farm
ponds are rarely caused by diseases or parasites. Fish suffering from diseases or parasites usually die
slowly, a few fish each day. Only in severe cases when fish are in poor condition, starving, crowded,
injured, mixed with wild fish, or stressed by rough handling, low oxygen levels, high temperatures or
chemical toxins, do diseases and parasites become a serious problem.

Some early warning symptoms of fish suffering from disease or parasite infections are:

Discoloration, open sores, reddening of the skin, bleeding, black or white spots on the skin

Abnormal shape, swollen areas, abnormal lumps, or popeyes

Abnormal distribution of the fish such as crowding at the surface, inlet, or pond edges

Abnormal activity such as flashing, twisting, whirling, convulsions, loss of buoyancy

Listlessness, weakness, sluggishness, lack of activity

Loss of appetite or refusal to feed

Fish exhibiting any unusual form of behavior should be closely examined for external signs of disease or
parasites. Infected fish usually show visible sores, discoloration, bleeding, swollen areas, lumps,
popeyes, small black or white spots, or other abnormal growths on the head, body, and fins. Sick fish
look and act abnormal.

There are few practical methods for treating diseased or parasitized fish in natural pond, lake, or stream
waters. Sick fish can be effectively treated in hatcheries and aquariums under controlled conditions.
However, in natural waters it is almost impossible to eradicate a disease or parasite without draining,
drying, and disinfecting the pond bottom soil and destroying all the fish. Therefore, pond owners should
make every attempt to prevent fish diseases and parasites from becoming a problem by:

stocking only healthy fish from disease-free commercial hatchery stocks

excluding all wild fish from the pond

preventing the transfer of fish from other ponds, lakes, or streams

following the stocking recommendations to avoid overcrowding

preventing fertilizer, animal waste, or pesticide runoff into ponds

not overfeeding pond fish

Fish Diseases
Fortunately, disease problems in lakes and ponds rarely reach epidemic levels. Fish are exposed
to a wide variety of disease causing agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites on a
daily basis. Under good conditions healthy fish are able to protect themselves from most of these
organisms. However, under less than optimal conditions, fish can become stressed and
susceptible to these pathogens. Stressors that can weaken a fishs immune system and decrease
their ability to fight off infection include poor water quality (low dissolved oxygen and extreme
temperature), pollution, over-crowding, improper handling (removing the protective mucus
layer), wounds from nest building or aggressive behavior with other fish, and inadequate
nutrition. Although fish diseases can occur anywhere, these problems most often occur in ponds
where fish are intensively cultured (catfish ponds) for sale and not in a typical recreational pond
environment.

Fish diseases can be difficult to diagnose, and treating those diseases in ponds or lakes is
generally impractical and costly. Seeing an occasional dead fish is normal. When large numbers
of fish begin dying there is usually an underlying stressor that has caused them to become
susceptible to infection. Reducing or eliminating stressors is integral to keeping fish healthy and
controlling disease. Good pond management practices that can reduce stress and help prevent
disease outbreaks include:

Stocking ponds at recommended rates

Stocking only healthy, disease free fish from hatcheries
 Never stocking fish caught from other lakes, ponds, or rivers
Maintaining good quality water
Preventing animal waste, fertilizers, pesticides, and other pollutants from entering the pond
Fertilizing the pond and feeding fish at recommended rates

Fish disease and mortality resulting from bacteria and parasites is most prevalent during the
spring and early summer. Fish condition is less than optimal following the winter months and at
the same time body energy is being utilized for spawning activities. This is the time of year when
fish are most susceptible and when bacteria and parasites are most active. Susceptibility also
increases in late summer when high water temperatures coupled with low oxygen levels restrict
the fishs ability to fight off infection. While not a comprehensive list of all bacteria, viruses, or
parasites that infect freshwater fish, the following are some of the more common fish disease
problems encountered in farm ponds.

Bacteria

Bacterial infections can affect a fishs fins, skin, flesh, mouth, gills, or internal organs. Infections
may be externally visible and present as open wounds, red or irritated areas on the skin or mouth,
pale and eroded gill filaments, or eroded fins. Some bacteria result in internal
infections. Although no external indications appear, these fish will generally be emaciated and
act sluggish.

Bacteria that commonly cause disease problems in freshwater fish include species of Aeromonas,
Pseudomonas, Flexibacter, and Edwardsiella. Aeromonas and Pseudomonas are two of the most
frequently encountered bacteria. Common signs of infection include red streaks at the base of the
fins and on the underside of the fish or reddish circular ulcers on the sides of the body. In severe
cases the abdomen may be swollen and scales may protrude. Flexibacter infected fish may have
light bands across the back (saddleback), eroded areas on the mouth, fins, or gills, and a dirty-
yellow material around the mouth. Superficially, Flexibacter infections may often resemble
fungal infections. Bacterial infections often occur due to some type of stressor (spawning, low
oxygen, parasite infestation). If you are supplementally feeding fish (i.e. catfish) the use of a
medicated feed may be a treatment option.

Viruses

Lymphocystis is probably the most common virus found in ponds, but it rarely causes mortality
and is much more unsightly than lethal. Channel catfish virus is much more lethal, but is usually
a problem only in intensive culture ponds and rarely encountered in recreational ponds. No
treatment options are available for viral infections.

Fungi
Fungal infections are characterized by a whitish cottony growth on the skin. Fungal infections
are generally secondary infections and occur where trauma or disease has created an opportunity
for invasion. The most common fungus affecting fish is Saprolengnia. Once a fungal infection
starts, it can spread and result in death of the fish. There are presently no fungicides which are
feasible for pond use and have EPA or FDA approval. Fungal infections generally do not cause
wide-spread mortality and disappear whenever the causative agent of the primary infection
ceases.

Parasites
Parasites are the most common, and diverse, disease causing organisms a pond owner is likely to
encounter. Parasites exist in small numbers in most fish populations. In some ponds it is not
uncommon to find several fish infected with fluke worms at certain times of the year. However,
fluke worms, and many other parasites, do not pose a significant health risk unless fish become
stressed or the infestation becomes particularly severe. Parasites may be found externally
attached to the skin, gills, or mouth, or internally in the muscle, organs, or body cavity. Parasites
range in size from microscopic copepods to round or tape worms which can be several inches in
length. Damage to the fish is usually determined by the degree of infestation and may range from
minimal to death. There are a few chemicals available to treat some of the parasitic infections;
however, these chemicals are fairly harsh and expensive. Treatment of parasitic infections is
generally limited to culture situations and rarely used in recreational pond environments. The
following are brief descriptions of some of the more common parasites found in farm ponds.

Protozoans
Protozoans usually cause few problems in naturally occurring populations. Most significant
losses of fish occur in high-density situations such as channel catfish culture ponds. Fish infected
with large numbers of protozoans may exhibit erratic swimming movements, abnormal
coloration, loss of appetite, excess mucous production, hemorrhaging, swollen body, or
distended eyes. Often, damage to the epithelium (skin) caused by the protozoan infestation
provide sites for a secondary bacterial infection.

Red sore disease is one of the most common disease problems encountered in freshwater game
fish, including those in farm ponds. Red sore disease is characterized by reddish ulcers or sores
on the fishs body and is generally the result of infection by two different organisms, Aeromonas
hydrophila, a bacterium, and Heteropolaria sp. (formerly Epistylis), a protozoan.
Ichthyophthirius (or ich) is probably the most familiar protozoan infecting fish because of its
frequency in aquarium fish. Ich will appear as small white pimples on the skin. When fish are
stressed, severe infestations may lead to mortality. Other common protozoans include Trichodina
and Costia.

Trematodes (flat worms or fluke worms)

Digenetic trematodes require one or more hosts (usually snails and fish-eating birds) in addition
to fish to complete their life cycle. Their larval stages, commonly known as black grubs, yellow
grubs, or white grubs, will encyst under the skin over the

entire body of the fish. Severely infected fish may be covered with black or yellow spots. These
parasites normally do not kill fish, but may appear unsightly. Proper cleaning and cooking will
render the parasite harmless to man. There is no known control of trematodes in ponds.
Infestation severity may be reduced by reducing the amount of vegetation in the pond thereby
reducing the snail population. Also, redear sunfish actively feed on snails and may be used to
help control the snail population.

Nematodes (round worms)

Nematodes, or round worms, infect many different species of fish. Depending on the species
of round worm and the species of fish, they can be found in almost any part of the fish including
the body cavity, internal organs, muscle tissue, and behind the eye. Philometra is one species of
round worm that is found mostly in bluegill, but occasionally in largemouth bass. Philometra
lodges behind the eye ball causing it to protrude and is responsible for what is known as
popeye disease.

Cestodes (Tapeworms)
Tapeworms may be found in the intestine, stomach, or body cavity of fish. Heavy infestations of
the tapeworm Corallobothrium in the intestine of catfish may retard growth. The larval form of
Proteocephalus (bass tapeworm) may migrate through the body cavity and internal organs
causing adhesions which inhibit spawning capability. I the majority of the ponds fish have a
severe infestation the best corrective measure is to renovate the pond and stock parasite-free
fish.

Copepods
Parasitic copepods attach to the gills, body, and fins of fish. Lernaea (anchor worm) and Argulus
(fish lice) often penetrate the skin of fish and feed on blood. Infected sites appear as small lesions
and often become ulcerated providing access for secondary infections by fungus or bacteria to
occur.

Treatment of Fish Diseases

As mentioned previously, treating fish diseases in ponds or lakes is generally impractical and
costly. Before any treatment option is attempted it is recommended that you contact the fish
disease specialist at Kentucky State University in Frankfort at 502-597-6581. The fish disease
expert can accurately diagnose the disease and provide you with the most effective treatment
regime. You may also contact your district fishery biologist who may be able to diagnose the
disease and provide you with methods of treatment.