CAPILLARIOSIS IN BREEDER DISCUS(SYMPHYSODON AEQUIFASCIATUS) IN IRAN

The global ornamental fish trade is a rapidly growing industry.Cultivation and propagation of ornamental fishes have been increasing in thelast 20 years in Iran. Discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus) from Cichlidae isone of the most popular and expensive aquarium fish. In the past few yearsfarming of this fish has been well developed in Iran. Two breeder discus fish(Symphysodon aequifasciatus) from two different propagation centres (withhigh mortality) with signs of anorexia, loss of balance, moribundity anddarkness in skin colour were referred to Laboratory of Aquatic Diseases ofVeterinary Faculty, University of Tehran. After the survey of ectoparasites,necropsy was performed under aseptic conditions; bacterial culture on standardmedia was done and the alimentary canal was extruded. In both fish noectoparasite was detected and no bacteria from these cases grew on the standardmedia. In internal survey 5 and 25 nematodes were detected in each fish. Ahigh number of free eggs were observed in intestine of fish. Regardingmorphological characteristics of the nematodes and their eggs, they wereidentified as Capillaria sp. Treatment of other fish with levamisole waseffective and the loss was terminated. Some helminthes like Capillariapterophylli Heinze, 1933, can cause a high mortality in cichlid aquarium fishes.This study showed that infection with some species of Capillaria could cause aheavy loss in ornamental fish from Cichlidae. Diagnosis of parasites of thesefishes can help us to prevent high mortalities.