A SHORT COMMUNICATION OCCURRENCE OF STREPTOCOCCOSIS IN AFRICAN CATFISH (Clarias gariepinus) FINGERLINGS RAISED IN A COMMERCIAL FARM IN AKURE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This investigation reports the outbreak of Steptococcosis in Clarias gariepinus  fingerlings in a commercial farm in Akure, Nigeria. The clinical signs observed on affected fish samples were haemorrhages in their ventral parts and mucous on the gills. The causative agent was found to be Streptococcus iniae. The predisposing factors for the outbreak were high stocking density and highwater temperature, the bio-film formations on the wall of the rearing tanks, as well as growing young fish in untreated rearing water that was previously stocked with adult catfish and tilapia. The infection lasted ten days during which all the fish died.