Diseases of Mariculture Finfish Species: A Review

Abstract

Mariculture has been steadily growing over the last few decades. To satisfy the increasing demand of local and export markets for fish and to control overexploitation of marine fish species, many countries are expanding mariculture activities. Disease is one of the most limiting factors in mariculture. Intensification of mariculture favors pathogens, which increase disease outbreaks. Diseases are broadly classified into infectious and noninfectious diseases. Infectious diseases are further divided into four groups based on the nature of the pathogen: viral, bacterial, parasitic, or fungal. Noninfectious diseases are divided into neoplastic diseases, genetic and environmentally induced diseases, and nutritional deficiency diseases. This paper provides detailed information regarding prevalent diseases of maricultured finfish species.