Vibno parahaemolyticus is considered as a human
pathogen more than a fish pathogen. To our knowledge,
there are only 2 reports linking it to fish infections
(Wong et al. 1990, Yii et al. 1997). In both papers
this species is described as the causative agent of
vibnosis in groupers Epinephelus coioides in Taiwan.
This is the first description of a bacterial pathogen
affecting Iberian toothcarp. Moreover, this Vibrio species
has not been previously reported as fish pathogen
in the Mediterranean area. In order to assess the virulence
of the isolates to other fish, lethal dose for amberjack
and eel was also established. These fish are
representative of the species cultured along the Mediterranean
coast of Spain. Arnberjack are extensively
cultured in seawater, and eels are cultured in water at
low salinity (0.2 %). The results confirm the bacteria as
virulent for other fish at salinities approximating that of
seawater.