The disease: Chronic Ulcerative Dermatopathy (CUD) is a disease affecting the lateral line organ of fish which are cultured in borehole water, both fresh and saltwater. The disease results in a progressive ulceration of the head lateral line canals which may become severe. The aetiological factor is not known and fish will recover if the move from the borehole water to natural seawater. Because of the ulceration and the loss of epidermis covering the lateral line canals, the fish may become prone to secondary bacterial infections. Furthermore, the overall clinical picture of the affected fish raises concerns for the fish welfare.
Epidemiology: The disease affects many different fish species. It was first described in a freshwater fish in Australia, the Murray cod followed be the marine sharpsnout seabream, Diplodus puntazzo. The disease is directly connected with the use of borehole water.
