Pathological obstacles of newly-introduced fish species in Mediterranean mariculture: a review

Abstract

Species diversification has been extensively employed in Mediterranean mariculture industry as a tool to relief the crisis resulting from market saturation and overproduction of the two main representatives, sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Numerous new promising candidates belonging to several fish families such as Sparidae, Polyprionidae, Serranidae, Sciaenidae, Soleidae, Carangidae and Scombridae have been introduced to provide alternative culture choices in Mediterranean. The farming potential of these species in production scale has received some or little success partly due to the fact that their entrance has not been accompanied without the presence of considerable pathological problems. Bacterial outbreaks causing serious problems have been mainly induced by Photobacterium damsella subsp. piscicida, Vibrio alginolyticus, V. harveyi, Tenacibaculum maritimum and Flavobacterium sp. Detrimental parasitic pathogens included the myxosporean Enteromyxum leei, the ciliates Cryptocaryon irritans and Uronema spp., the flagellate Amyloodinium occelatum, the monogenean Zeuxapta seriolae and the digeneans Paradeontacylix-like spp. Viral encephalopathy and retinopathy infections and the chlamydia-like bacteria causing Epitheliocystis disease are also of significance importance. Numerous other agents of lesser pathogenic significance as well as other occasionally recorded pathogens are also mentioned in this review. Additional research effort has to be devoted to the pathogenesis of important pathogens and the interactions with their hosts to assist the viability of new fish species farming in Mediterranean region.

Molecular profiling of the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) response to chronic exposure to the myxosporean parasite Enteromyxum leei

“…However, the increased culture density, the international trading of fish stocks and the lack of approved drugs have increased the impact of parasitic diseases (Sitjà-Bobadilla, 2009;Rigos and Katharios, 2010). Enteromyxum leei is a myxosporean enteric parasite seriously affecting Mediterranean sparid cultures (Palenzuela, 2006;Sitjà-Bobadilla and Palenzuela, 2011).…”

“…The impact of the disease is not limited to direct mortality, but also to weight loss, poor conversion efficiency, delayed growth and reduced marketability (Golomazou et al, 2004;Palenzuela, 2006;Rigos and Katharios, 2010). In addition no prophylactic or palliative treatments are available.…”

A novel agent (Endozoicomonas elysicola) responsible for epitheliocystis in cobia Rachycentrum canadum larvae

“…In recent years, epitheliocystis disease outbreaks have increased due to the introduction of new species and to the expansion of aquaculture. At present, it is considered a serious disease with a major potential impact on aquaculture production systems (Rigos & Pantelis 2010). Epitheliocystis has been described as early as 7 dph in cultured sharpsnout sea bream larvae (Katharios et al 2008), with mortalities reaching 100% at 25 dph, and Venizelos & Benetti (1996) described epitheliocystis disease at the metamor phosis stage (28 to 42 dph) of the Pacific yellowtail Seriola mazatlana.…”

The State ofSeriola spp.Other Than Yellowtail (S. quinqueradiata) Farming in the World

“…In the Mediterranean region the most dangerous pathogens for greater amberjack are Photobacterium damsella subsp. piscicida, which induces symptoms in both acute and chronic patterns (Crespo et al 1994) and Vibrio harveyi (Rigos and Katharios, 2010). In Spain, mycosis from…”