Antibiotic Abuse in Ornamental Fish: An Overlooked Reservoir for Antibiotic Resistance

Abstract

Ornamental fish represent a significant aquaculture sector with notable economic value, yet their contribution to antibiotic residues and resistance remains underrecognized. This review synthesizes evidence on widespread and often unregulated antibiotic use-including tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones-in ornamental fish production, transportation, and retail, primarily targeting bacterial diseases such as aeromonosis and vibriosis. Pathogenic microorganisms including Edwardsiella, Flavobacterium, and Shewanella spp. cause diseases like hemorrhagic septicemia, fin rot, skin ulcers, and exophthalmia, impairing fish health and marketability. Prophylactic and therapeutic antibiotic applications elevate antibiotic residues in fish tissues and carriage water, thereby selecting for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). These resistant elements pose significant risks to fish health, human exposure via direct contact and bioaerosols, and environmental health through contamination pathways. We emphasize the urgent need for a holistic One Health approach, involving enhanced surveillance, stringent regulatory oversight, and adoption of alternative antimicrobial strategies, such as probiotics and advanced water treatments. Coordinated global actions are crucial to effectively mitigate antibiotic resistance within the ornamental fish industry, ensuring sustainable production, safeguarding public health, and protecting environmental integrity.

Keywords: One Health; antibiotic resistance; antibiotics; good aquaculture practices; zoonotic pathogens.

Figure 2

Photographs of ornamental fish exhibiting bacterial diseases: (a) skin ulceration; (b) fin rotting; (c) exophthalmia; (d) hemorrhage [20,65]. Arrows indicate the affected areas.

Figure 1

(A) Trade value and (B) quantity of live ornamental fish trade by continent in 2023.