Red pest (<i>Purpura cyprinorum</i>)

Symptoms

Yellow-orange ulcers
Skin shows ulcerated lesions of distinctive yellow-orange colour.

Belly of fish dark red colour
The entire belly of the fish is a deep red colour from which comes the name of the disease.

Ventral and anal fins red
All of the lower fins fins of the fish are suffused with a deep red colour.

Subepithelial petechiae
Small bloody red dots or effusions, evident below skin.

Haemorrhages - skin
Bloody haemorrhages are apparent over several parts of the skin.

Hanging at surface
Fish stays at water surface all the time.

Ulcers - irregular
Irregular shaped ulcers are evident on the skin.

Bacteria as named above, typically infects carp and tench, disease with similar symptoms but a different bacteria affects Eels.

Very contagious indeed, in both cases. Usually results in heavy casualties.

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DNA and RNA diagnostic references

Megalocytiviruses.