Author(s): SA Mastan and Md Osman Ahmad

Abstract: The present study was design to investigate the Saprolegnia infection in fishes of Kolleru Lake, Andhra Pradesh and the percentage of infection of various species of fishes. A total number of 1400 fishes were screened and fungal infected fish samples were brought to the laboratory in sterilized plastic bags and kept in glass aquaria to observe the symptoms of infected fishes. Identification of various species of fungus was done on the basis of their vegetative and reproductive characters and standard keys described by various workers. Experimental infection trails were conducted with isolated fungal isolates to know the pathogenic nature of the fungi. Out of 1400 fishes examined, only 287 fishes were found to be infected with fungus. Eight species of fish viz. Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Channa punctatus, Channa striatus, Clarias batrachus, Mastacembalus armatus, Mystus cavasius and M. seenghala were found infected. Forty one isolates of fungi have been isolated from the diseased fishes, which belong to 8 genera and 14 species. Among all the eight genera, Achlya and Saprolegnia found to be highly virulent. In case monthly percentage of infection, the maximum percentage of infection was recorded in December, 2013 (23.2%) followed by January, 2014 (16.8%) and February, 2014 (15.3%) and minimum infection (9.2%) was reported in the month of October, 2013. In case fish species, the maximum infection was observed in Clarias batrachus (25%) while minimum was noticed in Catla catla (4%). Results of experimental infection trails indicates that Saprolegnia parasitica and Achlya sp are highly virulent in nature.

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