• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2004

In late summer of 2001, a new disease "overturn disease" occurred among mud loach (Misgurnus mizolepis) cultured in a farm Chonbuk Province. The fish exhibited a lethargic, erratic and spiral swimming at the water surface. Affected fish showed swollen abdomen with accumulation of air bubbles in the intestinal canal. The bubbles were much larger in the anterior part than in the posterior part. Hematological and histopathological examinations were done. No significant differences were found in RBC count, Ht value and Hb concentration between the diseased and the healthy fish. Gill filaments showed proximal hyperplasia of the respiratory epithelia and fusing of the gill lamella. Hemorrhage and necrosis occurred in the intestinal epithelia and within the lamina propria, and the mucosal epithelia were separated from the muscularis. Hepatocytes underwent atrophy. In the fish experimentally tied between the annal fin and the anus by a thread to confirm accumulation of air bubbles within intestine, accumulation of air bubbles was confirmed. This disease in mud loach appeared to be induced by circulatory disturbances in the intestinal wall owing to accumulation of air bubbles in the alimentary canal after fed high protein diet throughout all culturing period.