Major viral and bacterial diseases of cultured seabass and groupers in Southeast Asia

Abstract

Floating net-cage culture of fish was established in the early 1970s in Southeast Asia and has become very popular since. Although several species of marine and diadromous fishes have been successfully cultured, only a few species, particularly the seabass (Lates calcarifer) and grouper (Epinephelus spp.), are widely cultured. The expansion of commercial culture of marine and estuarine finfishes has been accompanied by the occurrence of diseases of infectious and noninfectious etiologies. Among the recognized causative agents of infectious diseases are protozoa, fungi, bacteria and viruses. Bacterial diseases, caused by Vibrio species (particularly V. parahemlyticus, V. anguillarum, and V. vunificus), and myxobacterial infection due to Flexibacter sp. and Flavobacterium sp. have continued to accompany the growth of marine fish cage-culture industry. Viral diseases include Lymphocystis, viral encephalitis and iridovirus infection. This paper reviews the major bacterial and viral pathogens of economically important finfishes, with emphasize on seabass and grouper.