Appendix 3- Fish pests and disease control

As discussed in Section 7.6.3, disease is the result of an imbalance between the fish, the pathogen/causative agent and the environment. Weakness in the animal and higher incidence of the pathogen in certain environmental conditions more favourable for the pathogen causes disease.

Sound fish management practices that build a healthy immune system are the primary actions to secure a healthy stock. Fish diseases must be recognized and treated expediently. The following two tables outline symptoms and causes of common diseases, separated as abiotic and biotic, to highlight the importance of water quality and environmental conditions in disease identification.

Source: Modified from Noga (1996) – See Further Reading section for full reference.