SEA LICE (COPEPODA, CALIGIDAE)- SERIOUS PATHOGEN FOR CAGE AQUACULTURE IN ASIA

Abstract

Cage aquaculture is flourishing in Asia with the aid of various modern technologies. One of its major problems are parasites, especially sea lice (Copepoda, Caligidae), is persistent and does not receive appropriate attention although they act as a serious pest of cage aquaculture, not only in Asia but worldwide. Currently, over 450 species of sea lice are known that are well distributed in tropical and temperate waters. Sea lice, including the genera Caligus, Lepeophtheirus and Pseudocaligus are causing serious diseases and economic losses in the aquaculture of finfish worldwide. Caligus epidemicus, C. orientalis, C. punctatus, C. sclerotinosus, Lepeophtheirus elegans and Pseudocaligus fugu are considered as major sea lice, that adversely affect and act as ‘potential pathogens’ of cage aquaculture in Asia. The adult sea lice are attached mostly on the body surface and the gills where they cause severe lesions and secondary infections. The developmental stages are attached on the fins using its frontal filament, cause further damage to the fins. In several countries, such infections are simply unknown, but already cause severe damage to the aquaculture industry. A thorough knowledge on the biology of sea lice, their population dynamics, life cycle, pathogenicity and transmission mechanisms of each species is necessary in order to overcome their potential threats to the aquaculture induhey act as a serious pest of cage aquaculture, not only in Asia but worldwide. Currently, over 450 species of sea lice are known that are well distributed in tropical and temperate waters. Sea lice, including the genera Caligus, Lepeophtheirus and Pseudocaligus are causing serious diseases and economic losses in the aquaculture of finfish worldwide. Caligus epidemicus, C. orientalis, C. punctatus, C. sclerotinosus, Lepeophtheirus elegans and Pseudocaligus fugu are considered as major sea lice, that adversely affect and act as ‘potential pathogens’ of cage aquaculture in Asia. The adult sea lice are attached mostly on the body surface and the gills where they cause severe lesions and secondary infections. The developmental stages are attached on the fins using its frontal filament, cause further damage to the fins. In several countries, such infections are simply unknown, but already cause severe damage to the aquaculture industry. A thorough knowledge on the biology of sea lice, their population dynamics, life cycle, pathogenicity and transmission mechanisms of each species is necessary in order to overcome their potential threats to the aquaculture indu