Abstract
This has been an overview of fish health, a comparison of some aspects of fish husbandry with other animal husbandry, and comments concerning fish health research--especially where it is going. The 1972 disease survey identified current problems; it ranked the problems according to priority. More important, research effort has been redirected. Problems of highest priority are receiving the greatest attention; those of lesser priority are receiving the appropriately lesser attention. Just as veterinary and human medical research have become more mission-oriented, fish health research has also become much more of a problem-solving activity. There are fewer dollars; they must be used wisely and they must produce. Research in fish health is expected to yield usable information that will be of significant help in producing better fishes. If destined for the table, such fishes should convert feeds rapidly and efficiently, and they should not suffer losses from diseases. If intended for stocking, such fishes should be capable of thriving in the environment and of surviving to fulfill their destiny.