Epizootiological and Histopathological Studies on Mycobacteriosis in Some Ornamental Fishes

Abstract: A total number of 480 ornamental fishes of different species namely Goldfish (Carassius auratus), Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri), Black molly (Poecillia latipinna) and Gambusia (Gambusia gaigei) was randomly collected from private ornamental fish breeders located at Giza governorate. During a period of 12 monthes. The clinical examination indicated the presence of excessive muocus secretion, ulcerations, detachment of the scales, exophthalmia and body deformity with external hemorrhages. The prevalence of fish mycobacteriosis in different seasons of the year and species susceptibility were detected. Bacteriological examination revealed isolation of 30 fish mycobacterium isolates. Twenty isolates were identified as M. Fortuitum, 8 as M. Marinum and 2 as unidentified mycobacteria for fish. The highest isolation rate was recorded in aged than younger. The experimental infection of Goldfish (Carassius auratus) with 2 isolates of M. fortuitum and 2 isolates of M. marinum induced clinical sings, gross pathological lesions and histopathological investigations of the naturally and experimentally infected fishes. Key words: Mycobacteria Ornamental fishes Bacteriology Histopathology Epizootiology INTRODUCTION are difficult to control. Mycobacterium fortuitum, Breeding and culturing of ornamental fishes is a isolated species. They are all capable of inducing human fast growing trade allover the world. Cultures of cutaneous infections, with development of nodula