[Coral-List] Question regarding strange "symptoms" on Curacaoan reef fish
Mark J A Vermeij
vermeij at hawaii.edu
Tue Feb 7 12:33:56 EST 2012
Dear all
Recently a large number of fish species has been observed carrying signs of what could be a disease. Two types have been observed and herbivorous fish seem most affected. The first "disease" was historically observed on surgeonfish (A. bahianus), but is now also occurring on several species of grunts and hamlets. Individuals affected are covered by dark, round patches, usually dark grey/ black in color, that can occur all over their body. Examples of this "disease" are shown in the first two pictures on the link mentioned below.
In addition to this "dark spot disease", many other species (including foremost various parrotfish species, but also cowfish, goatfish) have been observed covered by white specks that occur predominantly on the fins of these species, but also on their bodies. Pictures of this "white dot disease" are shown in pictures 3 to 6 in the link mentioned below. The last picture shows a redband parrotfish (S. aurofrenatum) where these dots have multiple colors ranging from white to brown to black. In some locations, none of these "diseases" is observed, but in others nearly 30% of the fish are seen carrying signs of either "disease". This to the best of my knowledge has not been observed earlier on Curacao.
Pictures can be found at: http://www.researchstationcarmabi.org/ and then click the first item under "latest news"
Any insight as to what is going on here is greatly welcomed. Suggestions and ideas can be send to Mark Vermeij at carmabilog at gmail.com
Best regards and thanks in advance for your comments/ suggestions
Mark
__________________________________
Dr. M.J.A. Vermeij
Science Director Carmabi Foundation
Piscaderabaai z/n
Curaçao
Web: http://www.researchstationcarmabi.org/
Assistant professor
Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED)
University of Amsterdam
Science Park 700
1098 XH Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Web: http://www.science.uva.nl/ibed/home.cfm
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