Fungal infection in freshwater fishes of Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

A total of 17 isolates of fungi were isolated from diseased fishes which belong to five species namely Saprolegnia diclina, Saprolegnia ferax, Saprolegnia hypogyana, Saprolegnia parasitica and Achlya americana. All these fungi were isolated from six different species of fresh water fishes viz. Channa stratius, Channa punctatus, Clarias batrachus, Labeo rohita, Heteropneuste fossilis and Mystus cavasius. The parasitic ability of all the fungal species were confirmed by conducting experimental infection under laboratory conditions   using healthy fishes of the same species. All the species of fungi were found to be pathogenic to fish.

Key words: Saprolegnia, pathogenicity, fishes