Survival of Paramoeba pemaquidensis on dead salmon: Implications of management of cage hygiene

• Main Authors: Douglas-Helders, GM, Nowak, BF, Zilberg, D, Carson, J
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: European Association of Fish Pathologists 2000
• Subjects: Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences; Fisheries Sciences; Fish Pests and Diseases; Atlantic salmon
• Online Access: http://ecite.utas.edu.au/18476

Amoebic gill disease (AGD) is the most serious disease problem in Atlantic salmon aquaculture in Tasmania at present. Little is known however, about the sources or reservoirs of Paramoeba pemaquidensis, the causative agent of AGD. This study evaluated the possibility of mortalities being a reservoir of P. pemaquidensis that could infect live nave fish as well as uninfected dead fish. Using Immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) for P. pemaquidensis on gill mucus smears it was determined that paramoebae remain on infected gills for at least 30 hours after death of the host and that during this time the number of paramoebae appear to increase. In addition it was established that paramoebae from dead infected fish can colonise the gills of previously uninfected dead fish thereby potentially increasing the bio-burden of paramoebae on infected farms.