FUNGAL INFECTION IN SOME ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT FRESH WATER FISHES IN GANDAK RIVER NEAR MUZAFFARPUR REGION OF BIHAR.

Life Sciences-Biology

Abstract

Fungal diseases of fresh water fishes are known to be problematic disease. The aim of this study was to investigate fungal infections in five economically important fresh water fishes  viz:  Catla catla, Notopterus chitala,  Channa  striatus,  Labeo  rohita,  Channa  marulius  were  collected  from  Gandak  river  near Muzaffarpur region of Bihar  during June 2013 to November 2013. The fishes were collected with the help of fisherman in sterile polythene bags in aerated water and transported immediately to plant pathology and microbiology laboratory, department of Botany, Patna Science College, Patna for mycological study. The specimens from infected organs of fish were inoculated on different culture media supplemented by suitable antibiotics. Among them nearly 25 fungi were identified.  Identification  and characterization  of the fungi were made with the help of authentic manuals of fungi. The most common among them viz; Pythium sp., Thraustotheca  sp.,  Aphanomyces  sp.,  Dictyuchus  sp.,  Achlya  sp.,  Aspergillus  sp.,  Fusarium  sp.,  and Penicillium  sp.    were  isolated,  identified  and  characterized.    The  seasonal  variation  and  percentage  of infection of fishes were analyzed.