Virulent Aeromonas hydrophila (vAh) is a major bacterial pathogen in the U.S. catfish industry and is responsible for large-scale losses within commercial ponds. Administering antibiotic feeds can effectively treat vAh infections, but it is imperative to discern new approaches and better understand the mechanics of infection for this bacterium. As such, the persistence of vAh in pond sediments was determined by conducting laboratory trials using sediment from four commercial catfish ponds. Twelve chambers contained sterilized sediment, vAh isolate ML-09-119, and 8 L of water maintained at 28 °C and were aerated daily. At 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 days, and every 7th day post-inoculation for 28 days, 1 g of sediment was removed, and vAh colony forming units (CFU) were enumerated on ampicillin dextrin agar. Viable vAh colonies were present in all sediments at all sampling periods. The vAh growth curve peaked (1.33 ± 0.26 × 109 CFU g−1) at 96 h post-inoculation. The population plateaued between days 14 and 28. No correlations were found between CFU g−1 and physiochemical sediment variables. This study validated the ability of vAh to persist within pond sediments in a laboratory setting. Further research on environmental factors influencing vAh survivability and population dynamics in ponds is needed.

As the northern Largemouth bass (LMB) (Micropterus nigricans) industry shifts toward fingerling production, implementing practical feeding strategies to ensure efficient growth during high water temperatures is paramount. Twenty (12.7 ± 0.2 g) (Trial 1) and fifteen (7.2 ± 0.1 g) (Trial 2) LMB fingerlings were stocked in two recirculating systems (each containing nine tanks), acclimated to 30 °C, with one system fed daily rations of 3, 5 and 7% body weight (Trial 1), and the second system fed to satiation daily, every second day, or every third day (Trial 2), for 28 days each. All treatments were triplicated. Multiple growth metrics and lipid composition were analyzed. The 3% treatment yielded the lowest final average weight (36.05 g) and FCR (0.83), with no difference in final biomass in Trial 1 treatments. Fish fed to satiation daily and every second day produced FCRs and biomasses of 0.83 and 356.78 g, and 0.93 and 272.26 g, respectively. There were no differences in total lipid concentration, however, fatty acid profiles differed significantly between all treatments within their respective trials. Feeding LMB fingerlings 3% of total body weight or feeding daily to satiation allows for efficient growth at 30 °C and implements cost-effective feeding strategies.

Two prevalent bacterial diseases in catfish aquaculture are enteric septicemia of catfish and columnaris disease caused by Edwardsiella ictaluri and Flavobacterium covae, respectively. Chronic and recurring outbreaks of these bacterial pathogens result in significant economic losses for producers annually. Determining if these pathogens can persist within sediments of commercial ponds is paramount. Experimental persistence trials (PT) were conducted to evaluate the persistence of E. ictaluri and F. covae in pond sediments. Twelve test chambers containing 120 g of sterilized sediment from four commercial catfish ponds were inoculated with either E. ictaluri (S97-773) or F. covae (ALG-00-530) and filled with 8 L of disinfected water. At 1, 2, 4-, 6-, 8-, and 15-days post-inoculation, 1 g of sediment was removed, and colony-forming units (CFU) were enumerated on selective media using 6 × 6 drop plate methods. E. ictaluri population peaked on Day 3 at 6.4 ± 0.5 log10 CFU g−1. Correlation analysis revealed no correlation between the sediment physicochemical parameters and E. ictaluri log10 CFU g−1. However, no viable F. covae colonies were recovered after two PT attempts. Future studies to improve understanding of E. ictaluri pathogenesis and persistence, and potential F. covae persistence in pond bottom sediments are needed.