Abstract

Mycobacteria spp. are ubiquitous bacteria in water supplies that can cause significant morbidity and mortality in aquatic species. Mycobacteriosis presents a challenge to fish practitioners due to the typically chronic, subclinical presentation of the disease, the lack of successful treatment modalities, the difficulty disinfecting affected systems, and the zoonotic potential of the bacteria. A survey was distributed to veterinary practitioners in various areas of practice (aquaculture, public aquaria, private practice) to collate information concerning species affected, clinical presentation and duration, commonly isolated species and methods of identification and isolation (i.e., necropsy, culture, histopathology, and laboratories used), foodstuffs offered to affected species, components of affected systems, environmental stressors, and treatment modalities. The responses to the survey were summarized and will be presented.