Influence of rearing conditions on Flavobacterium columnare infection of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum).

The influence of rearing conditions on Flavobacterium columnare infection of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), was studied experimentally in the laboratory and at a fish farm. In experiment I, the effect of parasitic infection on columnaris disease was studied using F. columnare carrier fish. The fish were exposed to Diplostomum spathaceum cercariae and a set of other stressors in order to induce clinical columnaris infection. Parasitic infection and other stressors failed to induce the disease. Disease occurred when the fish were challenged with F. columnare, but D. spathaceum infection did not enhance the severity of the infection. In experiment II, the influence of rearing density and water temperature was studied. Overall mortality was highest in fish at normal rearing density with high temperature (+23 degrees C). At low temperature (+18 degrees C) mortality was not affected by rearing density, but the transmission of columnaris disease was faster at normal rearing density at both temperatures. This supports the view that reduction of fish density could be used in prevention of columnaris disease especially if water temperature is high. Because the lower rearing density can also decrease the transmission of ectoparasites and penetrating endoparasites, it could be an efficient tool in ecological disease management.