t is well established that the world population is increasing as is the demand for aquatic food products. Over the years, diseases and epizootics have caused significant production losses to the fast-growing aquaculture sector and to the natural aquatic populations in the wild. As a result, disease control and health management have been considered as key contributors to aquaculture sustainability.
Successful fish health management begins with prevention of disease rather than treatment. Prevention of fish disease is accomplished through good water quality management, nutrition and sanitation. Without this foundation it is impossible to prevent outbreaks of opportunistic diseases. The fish is constantly bathed in potential pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Sub-optimal water quality, poor nutrition or immune system suppression generally associated with stressful conditions allows these potential pathogens to cause disease.
Daily observation of fish behaviour and feeding activity allows early detection of problems when they do occur so that a diagnosis can be made before the majority of the population becomes sick. If treatment is indicated, it will be most successful if it is implemented early in the course of the disease while the fish are still in good shape.