Anaerobic bacteria associated with epizootics in grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) and redfish (Sciaenops ocellata) along the Texas Gulf Coast

Abstract

Anaerobic bacteria tentatively identified as species of Catenabacterium were recovered from brain, liver, kidney and blood of fish involved in a massive epizootic of grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) and redfish (Sciaenops ocellata). Pathogenicity was demonstrated for grey mullet (M. cephalus) and sea catfish (Arius felis) but not for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) or white mice. Diseased fish were disoriented, weak and swimming at the surface of the water. Thioglycolate and salt bovine blood agar containing 40 microg/ml gentamicin were useful as selective culture media.