Study on diseases of giant freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in the rice fields/bheries of West Bengal

Abstract

The study was conducted during December 2005 to May 2006 involving 27 farmers culturing giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii), locally known as "golda," in three districts of West Bengal (East Midnapur, North & South 24-Pgs). Based on the results of these studies, a variety of pathogens have been found in larval, juvenile and adult Macrobrachium rosenbergii, including fouling protozoans such as Epistylis, Zoothamnium, Vorticella and pathogenic bacteria such as Vibrio, Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Edwardsiella. These pathogens were isolated from healthy and diseased prawns. Histopathological observations on the affected muscle tissues showed severe necrosis. The muscle fibres of the abdominal region were separated and the section of blackened area showed melanization of exoskeleton and muscle underneath. © Global Science Publications.