A Viral Disease in Hatchery-reared Larvae and Juveniles of Redspotted Grouper

Abstract

Recently, new viral diseases associated with mass mortalities have been recorded among hatchery-reared larvae and juveniles of marine fish such as Japanese parrotfish (Oplegnathus fasciatus)1), barramundi (Lates calcarifer)2,3)and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)4), all of which seem to have a similar viral etiology. These diseases were characterized by the affected central nervous system with picorna-like viruses; however the viral etiology has not been established yet mainly due to the unsuccessful isolation of the virus. This paper describes a similar viral disease among hatchery-reared larvae and juveniles of redspotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara. © 1991, The Japanese Society of Fish Pathology. All rights reserved.