Abstract
Simple SummarySea lice can generate wounds on fish and they are associated with the consumption of mucus, skin, and blood, inducing extensive epithelial erosion and inflammation. Knowledge related to the fin condition of fish with sea lice infections is scarce, limiting the range of parameters regarding their welfare status of fish. In the present study, the fin condition and two stress parameters were assessed in Caligus rogercresseyi infected fish. An association between fin erosion, increasing fish stress and parasite abundances was observed, suggesting that C. rogercresseyi infection is a possible cause of fin degeneration in Atlantic salmon.Fin condition is a simple indicator of fish welfare, which anticipates detrimental effects on fish in aquaculture systems. This study evaluated the fin condition of Salmo salar at different abundances of the parasite Caligus rogercresseyi. Fish were exposed to infestation with copepodids and the cohort was allowed to develop to the adult stage. The relative fin index was measured. Significant differences between infested and control fish for both pectoral and anal fins were observed. Moreover, there were significant negative relationships between fin condition and parasite abundances for pectoral, anal, and pelvic fins, suggesting that infestations with C. rogercresseyi could be a possible cause for fin damage in Atlantic salmon. Moreover, this damage was associated with increased stress levels, suggesting that damage can be related to physiological changes on infested fish. According to these results, pectoral fin assessments have the potential to provide information on the welfare of fish with C. rogercresseyi infestation. Determining the causes of poor fin development may improve fish welfare, even when infested by parasites.
Highlights
IntroductionIn Chile, Caligus rogercresseyi is the most important ectoparasite affecting the salmon industry [5,6], and has a wide host range spanning from nonsalmonid native fish such as Eleginops maclovinus to salmonids species [7]
Salmon louse are ectoparasitic copepods that infest wild and salmonid farmed fish [1], causing significant economic and social impacts in countries where salmon and trout industries exist [2,3,4].In Chile, Caligus rogercresseyi is the most important ectoparasite affecting the salmon industry [5,6], and has a wide host range spanning from nonsalmonid native fish such as Eleginops maclovinus to salmonids species [7]
The present study aimed to evaluate the fin condition of S. salar infested with the parasite C. rogercresseyi
Summary
In Chile, Caligus rogercresseyi is the most important ectoparasite affecting the salmon industry [5,6], and has a wide host range spanning from nonsalmonid native fish such as Eleginops maclovinus to salmonids species [7]. Their life cycle includes eight developmental stages separated by successive molting. Damage from sea lice on fish is associated with its feeding activity, which includes consuming mucus, skin, and blood. Effects of sea lice on fish physiology have been described for Lepeophtheirus salmonis, Caligus elongatus, and C. rogercresseyi
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