Isolation and identification of pathogenic fungi on Oreochromis aureus(Steindachner,1864)in the university of Basrah fish ponds

Abstract

Thirty samples of Oreochromis aureus were collected from University of Basra fish ponds during the period from February until June 2014.Thirteen fish samples showed fungal infection. A sterile swab was taken from outer surface of body (head, skin, gills, abdomen, caudal fin, dorsal fin and pectoral fin). Potato dextrose agar and glucose yeast agar was used for fungal isolation.In this study six genera were identified and the most common were Aspergillus sp., Alternaria sp., Mucor sp., Penicillium sp., Brachiomyces sp. and Ichthyophonus sp. Gills and abdomen were the most affected parts of fish. Among the generaobservedAspergillus sp. and Mucor sp. were the most prevalent fungi infecting these fishes.