Relation of Water Temperature to Ceratomyxosis in Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri) and Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Abstract
Juvenile rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) were exposed to infection with Ceratomyxa shasta transferred in groups of 25 to aquaria, and tempered to various temperature levels increasing from 3.9 to 23.3 C (39 to 74 F) by 2.8 degree C (5 degree F) increments. During a 237-day observation period mortality in the experimental groups averaged about 80%, and was independent of water temperature between 6.3 and 23.3 C (44 and 74 F). No deaths occurred at 3.9 C (39 F). The geometric-mean time from exposure to death, however, was definitely a function of temperature, increasing from 14 days at 23.3 C (74 F) to 155 days at 6.7 C (44 F).A similar experiment with juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) gave quite different results. In this species, percent mortality due to C. shasta increased progressively from 2% at 9.4 C (49 F) to 22% at 15.0 C (59 F) and 84% at 20.5 C (69 F). No deaths occurred at 3.9 or 6.7 C (39 or 44 F) during the 201-day experimental period. As with the rainbow trout, the geometric-mean time from exposure to death was temperature dependent, increasing from 12.5 days at 23.3 C (74 F) to 146 days at 9.4 C (49 F). The data indicate that ceratomyxosis in coho can be suppressed by water temperatures of 6.7 C (44 F) or below.