The Fish Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FDDL) at Kentucky State University Aquaculture Research Center diagnosed over 100 disease cases from Kentucky, Ohio, and surrounding states between 2022 and 2024. Working primarily with small scale farmers it is imperative that timely and accurate diagnosis of disease is completed. The goal of FDDL is to minimize mortality events, provide treatment recommendations, and minimize the spread of fish diseases between farms and state lines.
Under the direction of fish pathologist Dr. Robert Durborow, fish samples received were tested for bacterial, parasitic, and water quality causes of fish mortality. Species of bacteria and parasites contributing to mortality were successfully isolated and properly identified in order to provide expert treatment recommendations to farmers. All cases diagnosed at FDDL are uploaded into a database under each individual farmer and their production cycles. This database provides comprehensive access to farmer’s disease case history, furthering the ability of staff to provide treatment recommendations. Disease cases involving Aeromonas hydrophila, Flavobacterium columnaris, and Pseudomonas sp. infecting Largemouth bath (micropterus nigricans), Rainbow Trout (oncorhynchus mykiss), and Channel Catfish (ictalurus punctatus), were especially prevalent. This comprehensive overview of disease cases at the FDDL at Kentucky State University Aquaculture Research Center shows the skill and accuracy of fish pathologists as well as the importance of Land Grant Extension initiatives.