Edwardsiella tarda

ALSO KNOWN AS: Fish Gangrene, Edwardsiellosis, Emphysematous Putrefactive Disease of Catfish, Red Disease

Edwardsiella tarda is a Gram-negative, motile, facultative anaerobic bacillus from the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is a significant pathogen in both freshwater fish and humans, posing a major threat to aquaculture and fisheries. This bacterium primarily colonizes the guts of fish in freshwater environments. Infected fish may exhibit organomegaly, ocular disease, rectal prolapse, ecchymosis, and hemorrhagic septicemia.

Distribution: Found worldwide in freshwater environments.

Hosts: Various freshwater fish species.

Detection Methods: Bacterial culture – TSA (tryptic soy agar).

Target Tissue: Blood and internal organs.