Marine Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (MVHS) is an infectious disease that affects many species of fish, particularly the family Gadidae such as cod and haddock. The disease is caused by a virus that can be spread through contact with infected fish, water or other materials.
MVHS is most commonly seen in areas with high concentrations of fish and known to spread quickly among fish. Symptoms of the disease include lethargy, skin darkening or whitening, hemorrhaging from their gills and fins, bleeding ulcers on the body, and death.
Symptoms of Marine Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia
The most common symptoms of MVHS in fish include:
- Lethargy or lack of energy
- Skin darkening or whitening
- Hemorrhaging from their gills and fins
- Bleeding ulcers on their body
- Swelling around their head and abdomen
- Appetite loss
- Cloudy eyes
- Abnormal swimming behavior
Diagnosing Marine Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia
MVHS is a serious disease and diagnosing it early is important to prevent it from spreading. If you think that your fish might have MVHS, take them to an experienced veterinarian who can examine them and collect samples for laboratory testing.
The most reliable way to diagnose them is by sampling their blood. Blood tests can detect the virus responsible for MVHS.
Stages of Marine Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia
The disease progresses in three stages:
Stage 1
Symptoms include lethargy, appetite loss, skin darkening or whitening, and cloudy eyes. At this stage, the fish should recover if treated quickly.
Stage 2
At this stage, symptoms become more severe and include hemorrhaging from their gills and fins, bleeding ulcers on their body, and swelling around their head and abdomen.
Stage 3
In this final stage, the fish is very ill and could die if not treated.
Treating Marine Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia
MVHS is a serious disease and it’s important to treat it quickly. Treatments include antibiotics, antiviral medications, and supportive care such as increasing water temperature or increasing the oxygen levels.
In addition to treating the affected fish, other fish in the tank should also be treated with medication to prevent the virus from spreading.
It’s important to keep the aquarium clean and free of any materials that could be infected. It’s also important to practice good biosecurity measures such as disinfecting any equipment used between tanks, and not moving fish between different environments.
Preventing Marine Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia
The best way to prevent MVHS is to practice good biosecurity measures. This includes quarantining new fish before introducing them into your main tank, disinfecting any equipment used between tanks, and not moving fish between different environments.
It’s also important to maintain good water quality in the aquarium, because poor water conditions can increase the risk of infection. Regular water changes and monitoring the water parameters can help reduce the risk of infection.