Morphological and Pathological Effects of Aspergillosis in Silver Carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Morphological and Pathological Effects of Aspergillosis in Silver Carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Saira Saleemi1*, Zafar Iqbal1, Abdul Nasir Khalid2
ABSTRACT
Fungal diseases are very common in freshwater fishes. Aspergillosis is a fungal disease of fish. This study was designed to examine a fungal infection in silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. The infected fish showed clinical signs such as: eroded gills, damaged fins and lesions all over the body. The fish specimens showed mild to severe infection. The infection caused by fungus was confirmed by isolating the pathogenic fungus from affected skin, gills, fins, heart, liver, kidney and intestine of fish and culturing it on four different culture media; Malt extract agar (MEA), Corn meal agar (CMA), Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and Potato dextrose agar (PDA). The inoculated culture plates were incubated for 5-8 days at 28-32 oC. The fungal growth in the form of colonies of different shapes and colour appeared in agar plates. Four Aspergillus spp.; Aspergillus terreus (8.40%), A. flavus (17.06%), A. fumigatus (24.02%) and A. niger (50.52%) were isolated from fish. Aspergillus niger showed high infection and it was recorded on all 200 fish samples. Fins were the most affected parts with 39.10% infection. Intestine was the least affected part with 6.59% infection. The major reason of aspergillosis in silver carp is the use of unhealthy and unhygienic feed given to silver carp reared in earthern ponds. Due to aspergillosis fish may not be recommended for human consumption. If proper health management practices are adopted on fish rearing facilities, then the chances of incidence of aspergillosis in silver carp may be minimized.
Novelty Statement | This study has highlighted fungal infection in a commercial fish silver carp. The impact of fungal infection on fish and aquaculture industry is discussed. New data on fungal infection is added and contributed.
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
June 2020
Vol. 35, Iss. 1, pp. 1-165
