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Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

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DAO 47:57-62 (2001)  -  doi:10.3354/dao047057

Myxidium leei (Myxozoa) infections in aquarium-reared Mediterranean fish species

F. Padrós1,*, O. Palenzuela2, C. Hispano3, O. Tosas3, C. Zarza1, S. Crespo1, P. Alvarez-Pellitero2

1Biologia Animal, Centre de Referència de Recerca i Desenvolupanent en Aqüiculutra, Facultat de Veterinària, Generalitat de Catalunya, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain
2Instituto de Acuicultura Torre de la Sal (CSIC), 12595 Ribera de Cabanes, Castellón, Spain
3L¹Aquàrium, Moll d¹Espanya del Port Vell s/n., 08039 Barcelona, Spain

ABSTRACT: An episode of parasitic enteritis causing trickling mortalities at an exhibition aquarium reproducing Mediterranean ecosystems was found to be caused by the myxozoan parasite Myxidium leei Diamant, Lom & Dykova 1994. The myxozoan was recorded in 25 different fish species belonging to 16 Genera, 10 Families and 4 Orders. It was mainly detected in the intestine of affected fish, and was responsible for severe chronic enteritis. The parasite was probably introduced into the facilities with infected wild fish, and transmitted directly from fish to fish by cohabitation, transfer of infected material and necrophagia. Fish belonging to the Families Labridae and Blenniidae appeared as most susceptible, and the incidence of infections in members of the Sparidae was low. This study significantly widens the host spectrum for this virulent parasite and now includes many ubiquitous coastal Mediterranean species. Wild fish may have a significant role in the transmission of myxidiosis of cultured sparid fish.


KEY WORDS: Myxidium leei · Mediterranean fish · Aquaria · Infection


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