Source: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA submitted to
AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY FOR FLORIDA'S AQUATIC ANIMAL INDUSTRIES
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
ANIMAL HEALTH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0217045
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
FLA-FOR-004840
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Dec 1, 2008
Project End Date
Nov 30, 2013
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Yanong, R.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
G022 MCCARTY HALL
GAINESVILLE,FL 32611
Performing Department
Forest Resources and Conservation
Non Technical Summary
Florida?s aquatic animal industries are diverse and economically important to the state. Florida leads the nation in overall ornamental fish production and farm gate value, and the ornamental fish industry is the predominant aquaculture commodity in the state. Other aquatic organisms, raised for the aquarium industry, for food, or for other purposes are also important. Freshwater and marine sport fishing in Florida are valued at over $4.3 billion annually, with Florida ranked first. Florida's state wildlife agency has fish hatcheries that provide millions of game fish for stock enhancement. Public aquaria, zoos, and oceanaria are an important part of Florida tourism and display thousands of fish and aquatic invertebrates. Maintaining the health of the animals in these diverse industries and optimizing their environments is therefore critical to the state?s, and the U.S.?s economy. Disease in aquaculture and fisheries is a major constraint to economic viability and expansion. Recently, four fish diseases have resulted in heightened awareness in the U.S., and USDA intervention to protect aquaculture and wild stocks. In Florida, losses attributed to disease in the state?s tropical fish industry have been estimated at $6-10 million dollars annually. Normals for different species are unknown. Because of changing environmental factors, new species in production, and new management practices, diseases continue to emerge and require characterization and management, including changes in practices, or use of drugs, chemicals, and biologics. Drug companies and stakeholders have greater interest in legalizing drugs for fish, but in most cases, especially with regard to Florida fish species, to facilitate this, additional studies are required. Most aquaculture drug research has been done on salmonids and channel catfish. However, work specific to Florida?s warmwater aquatic animal industries has been very limited and is badly needed. The overall objective of this project is to collect information on aquatic animal health, productivity, and disease for cultured and wild species in Florida to facilitate management by aquaculturists, fish health managers, extension personnel, and agricultural and natural resource agencies. Specific objectives for this 5-year project include getting baseline information on healthy aquatic animals in production and in the wild; collecting information on diseases in aquatic animals in production and in the wild; developing and evaluate methods to improve health and productivity and prevent disease. Benefits will include increased productivity and economic returns for aquaculture producers; healthier stocks for recreational fishers and environmental tourism in the state; and healthier aquatic animals in public displays, with reduced need for replacement of fish in captivity.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
3110810106010%
3113716106060%
3113799106010%
3114099106020%
Knowledge Area
311 - Animal Diseases;

Subject Of Investigation
3716 - Ornamental finfish; 4099 - Microorganisms, general/other; 0810 - Finfish; 3799 - Cultured aquatic animals, general/other;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);
Goals / Objectives
Objectives: The overall objective of this project is to develop data on aquatic animal health, production, and disease for cultured and wild species to facilitate science-based management by aquaculturists, fish health managers, extension personnel, and agricultural and natural resource agencies. Specific objectives for this 5-year project include: 1) Document normal baseline and diseases of aquatic animal production, including etiologies, and risk factors; 2) Document normal baseline and diseases in wild fish, including etiologies, and risk factors; 3) Develop production, prevention, and therapeutic management strategies; 4) Evaluate effectiveness of management strategies on outcomes of health and productivity.
Project Methods
1) Document normal baseline and diseases of aquatic animal production, including etiologies, and risk factors, including normal variation of reproduction, growth, and maturation under varying systems, gross and microscopic anatomy, physiology, and veterinary clinical data. Documentation of diseases will include characterization of clinical signs and clinical data, and pathogen, pathogenesis, associated gross and microanatomical pathology and pathophysiology, and epidemiological factors. 2) Normal baseline and diseases in wild fish, including etiologies, and risk factors will also be studied, and data will be pooled from clinical cases submitted through the fish disease diagnostic laboratory and will include normal variation of reproduction, growth, and maturation, gross and microscopic anatomy, physiology, and veterinary clinical data. Documentation of diseases will include, but not be limited to data on one or more of the following, characterization of clinical signs and clinical data; and pathogen, pathogenesis, associated gross and microanatomical pathology and pathophysiology, and epidemiological factors. 3) Develop production, prevention, and therapeutic management strategies. The large variety of aquatic animal species in Florida; different management schemes and resource availability; and differences in economic and legal considerations necessitate development of commodity specific and situation specific strategies. Data from studies documenting normal health, diseases, and risk factors will be used to develop or to adapt existing and new strategies for disease prevention, therapy, and increased productivity, including management and biosecurity rlecommendations, use of immunostimulants, vaccines, and other biologically based approaches. In addition, studies in support of development and availability of drugs for increased productivity will be undertaken and will help guide recommendations for chemotherapeutic approaches to disease management. Information from this applied research will be extended to all relevant stakeholders including aquaculture producers, fish health managers in private and public sectors, extension specialists and county agents, and state and federal agencies. 4) Systematically evaluate effectiveness of management strategies on outcomes of health and productivity. Laboratory studies are necessary but preliminary and limited in scope. Small scale experiments must be tested under field conditions and at larger scales. Preliminary management strategies will be compared to current industry practices in order to assess effect on health and productivity and to further elucidate development of management guidelines. Work described above will occur through collaborative work with other IFAS faculty and units and other fish health stakeholders, and include data from ongoing clinical cases submitted through the fish disease laboratory. Information from this applied research will be extended to all relevant stakeholders including aquaculture producers, fish health managers in private and public sectors, extension specialists and county agents, and state and federal agencies.

Progress 12/01/08 to 11/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Primary target audience includes aquaculturists, fish health managers, and wholesale and retail industry personnel. In addition, other target audiences include extension personnel, agriculture and natural resource agencies, and other fish health professionals Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Although the research is not intended to provide training opportunities, veterinary student externs and one M.S. post-graduate veterinarian has been giving additional training through assistance with this multi-faceted project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Because my appointment is primarily extension, results have been disseminated through word of mouth during submission of diagnostic cases, through producer workshops, during professional meetings, and through extension and journal publications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We have identified and characterizedimportant, emerging diseases in several important aquarium fish species and one food fish group, and have been able to provide producers with methods to help reduce their losses. Determining the best preventativeoptionsis ongoing. Preliminary results using antibiotics and vaccinations have been helpful in reducing losses for some of these diseases. Through applied research, and diagnosis andmanagement ofclinical cases, we have collected normal baseline andidentified important and emerging diseasesof farmed aquarium fish including danios, wild and captive Banggai cardinalfish, wild grunts ( a species primarily collected from the Florida Keys, but for which breeding programs in Florida have become established), anda foodfish-sturgeon farmed in Florida.Screening for emerging diseases and identification of these major disease issues hasbeen followed by preliminary evaluation of risk factors and development ofpreliminarymanagement of disease and prevention, including use of vaccinations and antibiotics.Currently, vaccinations and culture and sensitivities to determine the best antibiotic protocols have been helpful for reducing losses from important bacterial diseases, while additional management strategies (including improved water quality and broodstock screening) can helpwith prevention.Producers have reported significant reductions in mortalities and increased incomewith use of vaccination. Emerging/current diseases of concerninclude Edwardsiella ictaluri in danios, Franciselliosis in grunts, Verona botryosa in sturgeon, and megalocytivirus in Banggai cardinalfish. A review of the literature and common practices in the Southeast have also facilitatedpublication of a reviewof biosecurity considerations for pond culture.

Publications

  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Yanong, R.P.E. 2013. Biosecurity in Aquaculture, Part 3: Ponds. USDA-Southern Regional Aquaculture Center. SRAC publication 4712. https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/viewAllSheets/
  • Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Talbot, R., M. Pedersen, M.L. Wittenrich, M.A. Moe, with R. Yanong and T. Waltzek. 2013. Banggaii cardinalfish: a guide to captive care, breeding, and natural history. Edited by J. M. Lawrence. Reef to Rainforest Media, Shelburne, Vermont, 304 pp.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Berzins, I.K., P.Anderson, K. Heym, and Roy Yanong. 2013. Effects of medical treatments on captive coral health. 38th Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop, April 29-May 3 (Gettysburg, PA). p. 62.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Steckler, N.K., R.P.E. Yanong, D.B. Pouder, A. Nyaoke, and T.B. Waltzek. 2013. Veronaea botryosa: an emerging fungal pathogen in hatchery-raised sturgeon in the United States. 38th Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop, April 29-May 3 (Gettysburg, PA). p. 79.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Primus, A.E.&v, D.B. Pouder&b, R.H. George, E. Soto, T.J. Gerlachp, S.E. Cassler, T. Johnson, and R.P. Yanong. 2013. Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis associated with granulomatous disease in novel host species. 38th Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop, April 29-May 3 (Gettysburg, PA). p. 27.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2013 Citation: Natalie K. Steckler, Roy P.E. Yanong, Deborah B. Pouder, Akinyi Nyaoke, Deanna A. Sutton, Jonathan R. Lindner, Brian L. Wickes, Salvatore Frasca Jr, Jeffrey C. Wolf, and Thomas B. Waltzek. Phaeohyphomycosis due to Veronaea botryosa in hatchery-reared sturgeon.


Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Documentation of normal baseline, diseases, and current health and disease management in aquatic animal production for a number of species is ongoing. Documentation includes characterization of clinical signs and history, pathogens, associated gross and microanatomical pathology, as well as associated epidemiology. Specific data was collected on fungal and parasitic diseases in freshwater fish, as well as on bacterial disease (edwardsiellosis) outbreaks and current management, including biosecurity. Retrospective analysis of megalocytiviral disease cases is ongoing. Information regarding collected data on diseases from clinical case retrospective analysis in freshwater ornamental fish has been disseminated to producers through on-one-contacts and through lectures to other aquatic animal health professionals. Specific research targeting post-harvest ornamental fish holding methods was completed, as was baseline health data collection (including blood work) and INAD research examining use of Aqui-S20E for aquacultured sturgeon sedation. In addition, work was finalized on other sedatives, e.g., metomidate. Producers have been apprised of relevant findings one-on-one. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include ornamental, food, and game fish aquaculture producers, wholesalers, retailers, and hobbyists, as well as aquatic animal health professionals. Information disseminated through workshops, formal lectures, extension publications, and one-on-one facility visits. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Outcomes/Impacts: Changes in knowledge and action have been demonstrated through one-on-one contacts with producers, during fish disease diagnostic laboratory consultations, by phone, email, on-site farm visits, and by testing during fish health management workshops. Farmers are using recommended biosecurity/prevention and treatment practices for a variety of diseases, and are being made aware of emerging diseases, e.g., systemic (versus external) fungal diseases. Practices have assisted specific farms in reducing economic costs of production through more targeted management and therapy, and have helped narrow down specific causes of morbidity and mortality for further investigation.

Publications

  • Crosby, T.C., J. E. Hill, K. H. Hartman and R. P. E. Yanong. 2012. Effects of Metomidate Hydrochloride Sedation on Blood Glucose and Marketability of Transported Threespot Gourami Trichogaster trichopterus. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 24(2):73-80.
  • Soto, E. Illanes, O., Hiltchie, D., Morales, J.A., Sunyakumthorn, P., Hawke, J.P., Goodwin, A., Riggs, A., Yanong, R., Pouder, D., Francis-Floyd, R., Arauz, M., Bodganovic, L., Castillo, F. 2012. Molecular and immunohistochemical diagnosis of Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (syn. F. asiatica) from formalin fixed parafilm embedded tissues. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. 24(5):840-845.
  • Yanong, R.P.E. 2012. Biosecurity in Aquaculture, Part 2: Recirculating Aquaculture Systems. USDA Southern Regional Aquaculture Center Pub-lication No. 4707. 15 pp.
  • Yanong, R.P.E. and C. Erlacher-Reid. 2012. Biosecurity in Aquaculture, Part 1: An Overview. USDA Southern Regional Aquaculture Center No. 4708. 10 pp.


Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: OUTPUTS: Documentation of normal baseline, diseases, and current health and disease management in aquatic animal production for a number of species is ongoing. Documentation includes characterization of clinical signs and history, pathogens, associated gross and microanatomical pathology, as well as associated epidemiology. Specific data was collected on viral diseases in freshwater and marine fish, as well as on bacterial disease (including streptococcosis and edwardsiellosis) outbreaks and current management. Retrospective analysis of megalocytiviral disease cases is ongoing. Information regarding collected data on viral and bacterial diseases from clinical case retrospective analysis in freshwater ornamental fish has been disseminated to producers through on-one-contacts and through lectures to other aquatic animal health professionals. Results and management were disseminated through extension publications available online. Data for research on shipping with metomidate and control of the parasite Argulus was organized, submitted for manuscript, and published. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include ornamental, food, and game fish aquaculture producers, wholesalers, retailers, and hobbyists, as well as aquatic animal health professionals. Information disseminated through workshops, formal lectures, extension publications, and one-on-one facility visits. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Outcomes/Impacts: Changes in knowledge and action have been demonstrated through one-on-one contacts with producers, during fish disease diagnostic laboratory consultations, by phone, email, on-site farm visits, and by testing during fish health management workshops. Farmers are using recommended prevention and treatment practices for a variety of diseases, including edwardsiellosis with vaccination being used as an option against this bacterial disease. Practices have assisted specific farms in reducing economic costs of production.

Publications

  • Hanson, SK, JE Hill, CA Watson, RPE Yanong, R Endris. 2011. Evaluation of Emamectin Benzoate for the Control of Experimentally Induced Infestations of Argulus sp. in Goldfish and Koi Carp. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. 23(1):30-34.
  • Yanong, R.P.E. and T.B. Waltzek. 2011. Megalocytivirus infections in Florida's ornamental fish industry: an update. 36th Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop, p. 75.
  • Crosby, T.C., B.D. Petty, H.J. Hamlin, L.J. Guillette, Jr., J.E. Hill, K.H. Hartman, and R.P.E. Yanong. 2010. Plasma cortisol, blood glucose, and marketability of koi transported with metomidate hydrochloride. North American Journal of Aquaculture 72:141-149.
  • Yanong, R.P.E. and T.B. Waltzek. 2010. Megalocytivirus infections in fish, with emphasis on ornamental species. FA 182. Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville.
  • Yanong, R.P.E. 2010. Lymphocystis disease in fish. Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville.
  • Yanong, R.P.E. 2010. Viral Nervous Necrosis (Betanodavirus) Infections in Fish. FA 180. Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville.


Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Documentation of normal baseline, diseases, and current health and disease management in aquatic animal production for a number of species is ongoing. Documentation includes characterization of clinical signs and history, pathogens, associated gross and microanatomical pathology, as well as associated epidemiology. Specific data was collected on gonadal tumors in Synodontis and vibriosis in freshwater ornamental fish, as well as clinical data on Cryptocaryon (marine ciliated parasite) outbreaks and current management. Retrospective analysis of megalocytiviral disease cases has begun. Experiments examining the effectiveness of 17-alpha-methyltestosterone for masculinization of ornamental cichlids were evaluated. Effectiveness studies,FDA INAD #11-128, use of methyltestosterone in ornamental swordtails, were finalized and accepted by FDA-CVM. Information regarding collected data on gonadal tumors in Synodontis and vibriosis from clinical case retrospective analysis in freshwater ornamental fish has been disseminated to producers through on-one-contacts and through lectures to other aquatic animal health professionals. Research on mycobacteriosis in recirculating systems was published and distributed to target producers. Results and management were disseminated through extension publications available online. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include ornamental, food, and game fish aquaculture producers, wholesalers, retailers, and hobbyists, as well as aquatic animal health professionals. Information disseminated through workshops, formal lectures, extension publications, and one-on-one facility visits. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Outcomes/Impacts: Changes in knowledge and action have been demonstrated through one-on-one contacts with producers, during fish disease diagnostic laboratory consultations, by phone, email, on-site farm visits, and by testing during fish health management workshops. Farmers are using recommended prevention and treatment practices for a variety of diseases, including Cryptocaryon and freshwater vibriosis, with vaccination being used as an option against vibriosis. Practices have assisted specific farms in reducing economic costs of production. Results from studies for use of 17-alpha-methyltestosterone for masculinization of ornamental cichlids have been equivocal. Further testing may be required. However, acceptance of effectiveness studies for INAD 11-128 makes drug approval of 17-alpha-methyltestosterone for use in masculinization of swordtails more likely, as this is a major technical section, one of a number in the process.

Publications

  • Yanong, R.P.E. 2009. Use of Copper in Marine Aquaculture and Aquarium Systems. FA 165. Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa165
  • Pouder, D.B., Yanong, R.P.E., and Wolf, J. 2010. Gonad Gone Awry: Malignant Gonadal Tumors In A Featherfin Squeaker Synodontis euptera. 35th Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop, May 24-28 (Shepherdstown, WV). Abstract, p. 6
  • Yanong, R.P.E. and Pouder, D.B. 2010. Vibriosis In My Freshwater Ornamental Fish But I Said Hold the Salt! 35th Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop, May 24-28 (Shepherdstown, WV). Abstract, p. 68.
  • Yanong, R.P.E. 2010. Capitulo 4. Peces de acuario. In R. F. Aguilar, S. M. Hernandez-Divers, S.J. Hernandez-Divers, and D. Perpinan, eds. Atlas de Medicina de Animales Exoticos 2a edicion. Editorial InterMedica SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Yanong, R.P.E., C.V. Martinez, and C.A. Watson. 2009. Use of Ovaprim in ornamental fish aquaculture. FA 161. Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa161
  • Yanong, R.P.E. 2009. Cryptocaryon irritans Infections (Marine White Spot Disease) in Fish. FA 164. Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa164


Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Documentation of normal baseline and diseases of aquatic animal production for a number of species is ongoing. Documentation includes characterization of clinical signs and history, pathogens, associated gross and microanatomical pathology, as well as associated epidemiology. Experiments examining the effectiveness of 17-alpha-methyltestosterone for masculinization of ornamental cichlids have been completed and data are being analyzed. Data and reports in support of legal availability for Ovaprim (spawning aid) and Aquacalm (metomidate, a fish sedative) have been completed. Information on previous work on hydrogen peroxide as a therapy for specific diseases and use of vaccines was disseminated through lectures, one-on-one contacts with producers, and University of Florida extension fact sheets. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences included ornamental, food, and game aquaculture producers, wholesalers, retailers, and hobbyists, as well as aquatic animal health professionals. Information disseminated through workshops, formal lectures, extension publications. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Changes in knowledge and action are apparent through one-on-one contacts with producers during fish disease diagnostic laboratory consultations and on-site farm visits. Farmers are using recommended prevention and treatment practices for a variety of diseases. Practices have assisted specific farms in reducing economic costs of production. Ovaprim (GnRHa + domperidone, a spawning aid) and Aquacalm (metomidate) have become the first two Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM) drugs included in the FDA Index of Legally Marketable, Unapproved Drugs, and are now available for use by the ornamental fish industry.

Publications

  • Yanong, R.P.E. 2008. Use of vaccines in finfish aquaculture. FA156. Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, FL Cooperative Extension Service, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville. 8 pp.
  • Hill, J.E., Kilgore, K.H., Pouder, D.B., Powell, J.F.F., Watson, C.A., and Yanong, R.P.E. 2009. Survey of Ovaprim Use as a Spawning Aid in Ornamental Fishes in the United States as Administered through the University of Florida Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory. North American Journal of Aquaculture 71, 206-209.
  • Kilgore, K.H., Hill, J.E., Powell, J.F.F., Watson, C.A., and Yanong, R.P.E. 2009. Investigational Use of Metomidate Hydrochloride as a Shipping Additive for Two Ornamental Fishes. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 21, 133-139.
  • Russo, R. and Yanong, R.P.E. 2009. Efficacy of vaccination against Streptococcus iniae during artificial spawning of the red-tail black shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor, family Cyprinidae). Journal of Applied Aquaculture 21(1):10-20.
  • Yanong, R.P.E. 2008. Use of hydrogen peroxide in finfish aquaculture. FA157. Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, FL Cooperative Extension Service, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville. 6 pp.