Case report: Mass mortality of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) caused by acute gas bubble disease

This is the first report describing acute mass mortality occurred in juvenile olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) caused by gas bubble disease (GBD). A total of 610 fish (average weight = 35 g), which were more than half of the fish acclimated at 17℃ in an aquarium, were killed within two days of acclimation. The dead and moribund fish showed excessively opened opercula and mouths, and occasionally, severe exophthalmia. Through microscopic observation, numerous gas emboli were found in the gills of the dead and live fish, while the fish were not infected with any microbial pathogens. The dissolved oxygen (DO) saturation level of the rearing water and seawater nearby the facility reached 145% and 286%, respectively, whereas other water quality parameters (such as salinity, pH, and chemical oxygen demand) were normal. The extreme saturation rate of seawater in the shore nearby seemed to be due to an enormous algal bloom that occurred there. Through molecular identification based on 18S rDNA sequences, the most dominant algal species was most closely related to Ulva californica (99.87% sequence identity) followed by U. prolifera, U. linza, and U. curvata (99.81%). Therefore, it can be concluded that supersaturated seawater due to mass algal bloom caused gas bubble disease in the olive flounder, leading to mass mortality. After technical adjustment, such as increased aeration, lowered water circulation rate, and inlet water filtration using micro-pore carbon filters, the DO level became normal, no further mortality occurred and the status of the fish was stabilized.