The Influence of Seasonal Specific Fish Diseases on Cyprinid Culture in South-Est Region of Romania: A Study Case

In the food production field, aquaculture is the fastest growing sector, becoming an important source of protein production according to FAO report. Romania has a legacy in pond aquaculture production and the total estimated produced fish biomass is aproximatelly 10 000 tones per year. In order to ensure economic efficiency and sustainability through the reduction of fish mortality, disease management and control is imperative. The South-East Region of Romania is characterized by the practice of aquaculture in extensive production systems, such as pond. The pond aquaculture systems in the South-East of Romania is supplied with water from the hydrographycal basin of Danube River. The purpose of this study is to assess disease status on 3 different fish populations from the South-East Region of Romania and identify differences in disease clinical signs. The biological material (carp, silver carp, bighead carp, prussian carp) was collected by control harvesting from 3 different aquaculture pond units. Fish were transported to the ichthyopathology laboratory at the Institute of Research and Development for Aquatic Ecology, Fishing and Aquaculture of Galati and analyses were carried out. All studied populations presented seasonal specific disease signs that may cause mortality in fish population between the range of 20 and 80%. A decrease of fish mortality rate can be obtained by early diagnostic establishment and fast treatment application. In order to avoid the occurrence of the bioresistence phenomenon administration of antibiotic substances should be administrated exclusivelly in case of secundary bacterian infection and following a antibiogram test.