Filamentous Bacterial Disease of Shrimp and Prawns
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Category
Category 4 (Negligible Regulatory Significance in Canada)
Common, generally accepted names of the organism or disease agent
Filamentous bacterial (Leucothrix) disease.
Scientific name or taxonomic affiliation
Leucothrix mucor, Thiothrix sp., Flexibacter sp., Cytophaga sp., Flavobacterium sp.
Geographic distribution
Ubiquitous.
Host species
All penaeids. Similar bacteria have been observed on Pandalus platyceros held in captivity.
Impact on the host
Discolouration of gills due to associated secondary infections. Larvae and postlarvae fouled. Reduced mobility, feeding and growth. Increased mortality.
Diagnostic techniques
Gross Observations
Direct microscopic examination of body surface at 100 × or higher reveals filaments of bacteria 3-5 µm wide and of variable length but often 100 to 500 µm long.
Methods of control
Possibly associated with poor water (high nutrient loading) or other poor husbandry which should be rectified.
References
Brock, J.A. and D.V. Lightner. 1990. Diseases of Crustacea. Diseases caused by microorganisms. In: O. Kinne (ed.). Diseases of Marine Animals. Volume III: Introduction, Cephalopoda, Annelida, Crustacea, Chaetognatha, Echinodermata, Urochordata. Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Hamburg, p. 299-304.
Johnson, S.K. 1978. Handbook of Shrimp Diseases. Sea Grant College Publ. No. TAMU-SG-75-603. 23 p.
Lightner, D.V. 1988. Filamentous bacterial disease of penaeid shrimp. In: C.J. Sindermann and D.V. Lightner (eds.). Disease Diagnosis and Control in North American Marine Aquaculture. Developments in Aquaculture and Fisheries Science 17. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p. 52-57.
Lightner, D.V., C.T. Fontaine and K. Hanks. 1975. Some forms of gill disease in penaeid shrimp. Proceedings of the World Mariculture Society 7: 473-481
Citation Information
Bower, S.M., McGladdery, S.E., Price, I.M. (1994): Synopsis of Infectious Diseases and Parasites of Commercially Exploited Shellfish: Filamentous Bacterial Disease of Shrimp and Prawns.
Date last revised: September 1994
Comments to Susan Bower
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