Are Warmwater Fish Diseases An Important Problem?

Although the literature shows several instances where warmwater fishes have been affected by recognizable disease organisms, the problem of warmwater fish diseases has received little notice by investigators. Evidence collected in fish cultural activity at the Marion, Alabama, Station indicates that disease may be an important factor in the successful propagation of bluegill fingerlings and also to some extent in that of largemouth black bass. A case of gill disease among blugills is described and other evidence regarding unexplained mortality among both bluegills and largemouth black bass is discussed. The need for a comprehensive study of the problem of warmwater fish diseases is emphasized.