Histopathological observation and health status of the zebra-snout seahorse Hippocampus barbouri Jordan & Richardson, 1908 in captivity

• DOI: 10.12982/vis.2021.027
• Publication Date: 2021-11-26T10:13:46Z
• Authors: Thatpon Kamnurdnin; Sinlapachai Senarat; ; Jes Kettratad; ; ; Supanut Pairohakul; ; Wannee Jiraungkoo...; ; Ratree Suksuwan; ; Woranop Sukparangsi; ; Chanyut Sudtongkong
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Histology; Physiology; Veterinary medicine; Juvenile; Aquatic Science; Kidney; Hippocampus; Agricultural and Biological Sciences; Habitat Use; 03 medical and health sciences; Endocrinology; SF600-1100; Pathology; Genetics; 14. Life underwater; Conservation of Sharks and Rays; Biology; Nature and Landscape Conservation; 0303 health sciences; Life Sciences; Seahorse; Length-Weight Relationships of Fish Species; Captivity; 3. Good health; FOS: Biological sciences; Environmental Science; Physical Sciences; Life History and Ecology of Seahorses; Medicine; Zoology

The health status of the zebra-snout seahorse, Hippocampus barbouri in captivity has been required for approval for aquaculture. In this study, we investigated the histopathological appearance of three vital organs including gill, kidney and liver in captive H. barbouri during its juvenile and adult stages, by using histological techniques. In juveniles from stage 14-days (100% prevalence) towards stage 30-days adults (100% prevalence), the gills exhibited intraepithelial edema and necrosis while hepatic tissue showed evidence of intracytoplasmic vacuoles. In addition, histological alteration to renal tissues was observed the degeneration of renal tubules, the presence of melanomacrophage, and the infection of trematode parasites. The parasites were found in stage 30-days adult fish in the kidney (33.3 % prevalence). Taken together, this study highlights the issue of health in captive rearing of H. barbouri, in particular histopathological alterations in gill, liver and kidney tissues, suggesting that aquaculture of this seahorse species requires improved methods and protocols for maintenance and preventing infection.