Case report of systemic Cryptobiosis in zebra tilapia, Tilapia buttikoferi

Cryptobiosis is an important parasitic disease in fish worldwide, especially in salmon and sea fishes. The disease causes by Cryptobia spp. In most cases, the parasite can pass through the intestine, and infect the internal organs, such as: liver, gall bladder and spleen, especially in Cichlid fishes. This rear report, presents the evidences about the occurrence of Cryptobiosis in an ornamental tilapia (Zebra tilapia). The fish that were referred to the teaching hospital, of Veterinary Medicine School at the Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz with the signs of a rare systemic disease, i.e.: anorexia, lethargy, abnormal swimming and darkening of body color. The main autopsy findings were pale liver and anemic gills. Histological examination revealed parasite infestation in the gill epithelium. Also, the large number of these flagellate parasites was found in the intestinal lumen as well as on the epithelium. Based on clinical signs, macroscopic and particularly histomorphological findings, the disease was diagnosed as systemic cryptobiosis.