Severe haemorrhagic septicemia in an African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Objective: Aeromonas hydrophila has been recovered as a pathogen from a wide variety of fresh water fish species, including ornamental fish. The etiological agent has been considered to be the dominant cause of motile aeromonads and may well have worldwide distribution. A. hydrophila has been credited with causing several distinct pathological conditions, including tail/fin rot and hemorrhagic septicemia. In this survey A. hydrophila as a main causative of fin rot and skin erosion in aquarium African catfish is discussed. Method & Materials: A one-year African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) with severe skin erosions especially under the abdomen, around the mouth and in a lethargic condition was received by the aquatic animal health unit. Fish was examined for different pathogens. For this samples from the side of erosions were taken aseptically and cultured on brain heart agar. Pure colonies were biochemically diagnosed in the bacteriology laboratory. Fish were treated by bath in potassium permanganate (50 mg/l) and chlortetracycline (10 mg/l) for 7 days. Results & Conclusion: The isolated bacterium as the cause of ulceration was diagnosed as A. hydrophila. It responded well to potassium permanganate and chlortetracycline as an effective disinfectant and antibiotic. Results of this survey showed that A. hydrophila can affect many aquarium fish and much effort should be made to remember A. hydrophila can cause severe hemorrhagic septicemia in aquarium fishes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Aeromonas hydrophila ، hemorrhagic septicemia ، African catfish