Observations on saprolegniasis of adult sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum)

Some observations on the mycology and pathology of saprolegniasis of maturing sockeye salmon are reported. Saprolegnia spp. were isolated from all lesions examined. Some isolates did not produce oogonia and could not be identified further. The other isolates have affinities to the S. diclina-S. parasitica complex. Observations on the gross and histo-pathology of the lesions show the fungi can be active pathogens. It is hypothesized that increased levels of plasma corticosteroids and depletion of ascorbic acid reserves in the fish increase the probability that Saprolegnia spp. will initiate infections, either alone or concurrently with other opportunistic parasites.