斑点叉尾源维氏气单胞菌对四环素类抗生素的耐药性及耐药基因的检测

维氏气单胞菌（Aeromonas veronii）为气单胞菌属（Aeromonas）的一种,亦被称为维罗纳气单胞菌、凡隆气单胞菌和维隆气单胞菌,存在于水体和淤泥等环境中[1],能够感染斑点叉尾（Ictalurus punctatus）[2,3]、锦鲤（Cyprinus carpio L.）[4]、西伯利亚鲟（Acipenser baerii）[5]、鲱形白鲑（Coregonus clupeaformis）[6]、华鲮（Sinilabeo rendahl）[7]、框镜鲤（Cyprinus carpio）[8]等多种鱼类。其中,斑点叉尾感染维氏气单胞菌近几年才被发现,其发病率可达30%以上,病鱼死亡率在50%以上,给养殖户造成了巨大的经济损失,也严重制约了斑点叉尾养殖业的健康发展[2,9]。

pH变化对鲶鱼肌浆蛋白理化和功能特性的影响

提取鲶鱼肉漂洗液中的肌浆蛋白,用酸或碱以5种方式(①pH=3.0→7.0;②pH=5.0→7.0;③pH=7.1→7.0;④pH=9.0→7.0;⑤pH=11.0→7.0)调节其pH后,研究经过这种pH变化后的肌浆蛋白的蛋白溶解度、表面疏水性、总巯基含量、SDS-PAGE、流变性和热变性等指标的变化,以期为漂洗液中肌浆蛋白的综合利用奠定理论基础。研究结果表明:随着pH向酸性或者碱性的方向逐渐变化,肌浆蛋白溶解度、表面疏水性和总巯基含量不断下降,蛋白氧化加剧,流变学特性(黏度值)和热变性温度不断增加。

斑点叉尾病毒(CCV)结构蛋白的鉴定

采用蔗糖密度梯度离心法分离纯化斑点叉尾病毒(Channel catfish virus,CCV),利用电喷雾-四级杆-飞行时间质谱(ESI-Q-TOF MS/MS)对得到的样品进行分析。结果共鉴定了13种结构蛋白,包含1种未报道过的结构蛋白ORF22。实验结果为进一步研究CCV结构蛋白的功能及蛋白质组学提供了参考。

Effects of Rice-Fish Co-culture on Oxygen Consumption in Intensive Aquaculture Pond

Rice-fish co-culture has gained increasing attention to remediate the negative environmental impacts induced by intensive aquaculture. However, the effect of rice-fish co-culture on oxygen depletion has rarely been investigated. We constructed a rice-fish co-culture system in yellow catfish(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) and freshwater shrimp(Macrobrachium nipponense) ponds using a new high-stalk rice variety, and conducted a field experiment to investigate the effect of rice-fish co-culture on water parameters and oxygen consumption. The results showed that rice-fish co-culture reduced the nutrients(total nitrogen, ammonia-N, total phosphorous and potassium) and the dissolved oxygen content in fish and shrimp ponds. However, they showed similar seasonal change of dissolved oxygen in the water of fish and shrimp ponds. Rice-fish co-culture reduced the total amount of oxygen consumption and optimized the oxygen consumption structure in pond. The respiration rates in water and sediment were significantly reduced by 66.1% and 31.7% in the catfish pond, and 64.4% and 38.7% in the shrimp pond, respectively, by additional rice cultivation. Rice-fish co-culture decreased the proportions of respiration in sediment and water, and increased the proportion of fish respiration. These results suggest that rice-fish co-culture is an efficient way to reduce hypoxia in intensive culture pond.

Dietary isoleucine improved flesh quality,muscle antioxidant capacity,and muscle growth associated with AKT/TOR/S6K1 and AKT/FOXO3a signaling in hybrid bagrid catfish(Pelteobagrus vachelli♀×Leiocassis longirostris♂)

Background:Muscle is the complex and heterogeneous tissue,which comprises the primary edible part of the trunk of fish and mammals.Previous studies have shown that dietary isoleucine(Ile)exerts beneficial effects on growth in aquatic animals.However,there were limited studies regarding the benefits of Ile on fish muscle and their effects on flesh quality and muscle growth.Thus,this study was conducted to explore whether dietary Ile had affected flesh quality and muscle growth in hybrid bagrid catfish(Pelteobagrus vachelli♀×Leiocassis longirostris♂).Methods:A total of 630 hybrid fish,with an initial average body weight of 33.11±0.09 g,were randomly allotted into seven experimental groups with three replicates each,and respectively fed seven diets with 5.0,7.5,10.0,12.5,15.0,17.5,and 20.0 g Ile/kg diets for 8 weeks.Results:In the present study,we demonstrated that Ile significantly:(1)increased muscle protein and lipid contents and the frequency distribution of myofibers with≤20μm and≥50μm of diameter;(2)improved pH value,shear force,cathepsin B and L activities,hydroxyproline content,resilience,cohesiveness,and decreased cooking loss,lactate content,hardness,springiness,gumminess,and chewiness;(3)decreased reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),and protein carbonyl(PC)contents,GCLC and Keap1 mRNA levels,and up-regulated CuZnSOD,CAT,GPX1a,GST,and Nrf2 mRNA levels;(4)up-regulated the insulin-like growth factor 1,2(IGF-1,IGF-2),insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor(IGF-1R),proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),Myf5,Myod,Myog,Mrf4,and MyHC mRNA levels,and decreased MSTN mRNAlevel;(5)increased muscle protein deposition by activating AKT-TOR-S6K1 and AKT-FOXO3a signaling pathways.Conclusion:These results revealed that dietary Ile improved flesh quality,which might be due to increasing nutritional content,physicochemical,texture parameters,and antioxidant ability;promoting muscle growth by affecting myocytes hyperplasia and hypertrophy,and muscle protein deposition associated with protein synthesis and degradation signaling pathways.Finally,the quadratic regression analysis of chewiness,ROS,and protein contents against dietary Ile levels suggested that the optimal dietary Ile levels for hybrid bagrid catfish was estimated to be 14.19,12.36,and 12.78 g/kg diet,corresponding to 36.59,31.87,and 32.96 g/kg dietary protein,respectively.

Immunocytochemical Identification and Localization of Diffuse Neuroendocrine System (DNES) Cells in Gastrointestinal Tract of Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

To detect distribution and relative frequency of diffuse neuroendocrine system （DNES） cells in the gastrointestinal tract of channel catfish （lctalurus punctatus）, the intestinal tract of channel catfish was divided into seven portions from proximal to distal： the enlarged area after oesophagus, cardia, fundus, pylorus, and anterior, middle, and posterior intestine. Immunohistochemical method using the strept avidin-biotin-complex （SABC） was employed. All antisera between seven portions of the channel catfish were compared statistically using statistical package for the social science （SPSS）. Five types of DNES ceils were determined： neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive （NPY-IR） cells were demonstrated in both anterior and middle intestine; serotonin （5-HT） immunoreactive cells were detected throughout the whole gastrointestinal tract; vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP） positive cells were at the highest frequency in pylorus; glucagon-immunoreactive （GLU-IR） cells were moderate in number in the fundus and anterior, middle intestine, and no immunoreactivity was determined in the other portions; somatostatin （SOM） positive cells were more abundant in the anterior and middle intestine. The regional distribution and relative frequency of immunoreactive cells in the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, are essentially similar to those of other fish. However, some characteristics are observed in this species, which further proved that the diversity of the physiological function of DNES cells was based on their morphology.

Endosulfan-mediated Biochemical Changes in the Freshwater Fish Clarias batrachus

Objective Endosulfan is an extremely toxic organochlorine pesticide to aquatic organisms which might be hampering fish health through impairment of metabolism sometimes leading to death. So an experimental protocol was designed to look at endosulfan effects on a number of selected biochemical endpoints as well as to develop a mechanistic understanding of biochemical effects of endosulfan in freshwater fish. Methods The adult freshwater catfish Clarias batrachus were collected and acclimatized to laboratory condition for two weeks prior to experimentation. The toxicity bioassay test of commercial grade endosulfan (35% EC) was conducted for 21 days to determine its initial lethal concentration. The fish were exposed to sublethal concentration of endosulfan (0.06 mg/L) for 21 days. Pesticide - withdrawal experiments were also performed to study recovery. Protein synthesis inhibitors were injected to know the possible mechanism of recovery. The specimens of C. batrachus were sacrificed and brain, liver and caudal white skeletal muscle were removed. Tissues were homogenized and fractions were obtained by differential centrifugation. The activities of citrate synthase (CS), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6-PDH) and lactate dehydrogease (LDH) were assayed spectrophotometrically. Similarly, DNA, RNA and protein content were measured as per standard procedure. Results The exposure of sublethal concentration of endosulfan decreased the activity of citrate synthase (CS) and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6-PDH) in the brain, liver and skeletal muscle of the freshwater catfish, C. batrachus. The brain lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was also reduced in response to endosulfan toxicity. The maximum reduction in activities of these enzyme was 34%-43%. Withdrawal of endosulfan restored the enzyme activity to control level in all the three tissues. The recovery in enzyme activity appears to be due to dissociation of endosulfan or its metabolite(s) from the enzyme molecules and/or fresh synthesis of enzymes. The treatment of actinomycin D or cycloheximide partially inhibited the withdrawal-dependent increase in enzyme activity. This substantiates de novo synthesis of enzyme during recovery period. Since the reduction in enzyme activity was more pronounced in response to actinomycin D, endosulfan might be inhibiting the transcription process. But endosulfan did not produce any significant effect on DNA content and RNA/DNA. However, the RNA and protein contents of brain, liver and skeletal muscle decreased significantly in tissues. The maximum decrease in RNA and protein was approximately 30%-37%. Withdrawal of endosulfan from the medium for 21 days restored the RNA, and protein contents nearly to their control levels. The treatment of actinomycin D or cycloheximide partially inhibited the withdrawal- dependent increase in these macromolecular contents. This effect was more pronounced in case of actinomycin D which again supports the possibility of endosulfan-induced inhibition at transcription level. Conclusion The present study suggests endosulfan-induced impairment of metabolism in fish, which appeared to be due to inhibition of transcription at some unknown points.

Malate and Lactate Dehydrogenases of a Freshwater Catfish: Impact of Endosulfan

A sublethal concentration of technical grade endosulfan (END) inhibited 35 to 55% of the activities of cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase (cMDH), mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (mMDH), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the liver and the skeletal muscle of a freshwater catfish, Clarias halrachus, after 7 days of exposure. The activity remained in the inhibited state up to 28 days. The withdrawal of END from the medium after 1 week of exposure gradually restored the activities to control levels within 21 days in the skeletal muscle and 28 days in the liver. The administration of actinomycin D or cycloheximide between the 14th and the 21st day of the withdrawal of END almost completely inhibited the withdrawal-dependent recovery in the activities of all the three enzymes. This indicates de novo synthesis of the enzymes during the recovery period. A conjoint treatment of END and triiodothyronine (T_3) raised the activities of cMDH, mMDH, and LDH in the liver and the skeletal muscle up to the control levels. This shows that the inhibitory effect of END may be relieved in presence of T_3. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed few changes in the pattern of cytoplasmic proteins of the liver and the skeletal muscle in response to exposure to END. 1990 Academic Press. Inc.

Enzymatic and histopathologic biomarkers as indicators of aquatic pollution in fishes

In the present study we investigated the alteration in the activity of two metabolic enzymes [Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)] and the histological changes on liver and gills of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus collected from 6 sites along the river Nile, from its spring at Aswan to its estuary at Rosetta and Damietta branches. The results showed that the physical and chemical parameters of the water collected from Damietta and Rosetta branches were higher than those of the water collected from other sites. Remarkable alterations in the activity of the selected enzymes in the liver and muscles of the African catfish were detected. These alterations go in parallel with the elevation in the levels of chemical parameters detected in the water of Damietta and Rosetta branches as a result of pollution stress in these areas. The activity of G6PDH was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased from Aswan to Rosetta and Damietta recording the highest value at Rosetta followed by Damietta water. The activity of LDH showed a significant elevation (p < 0.05) in activity in the liver and muscles of fishes collected from Rosetta and Damietta branches comparing to other sites. These alterations in enzymatic activities were followed, in the present study, by the occurrence of histological lesions and clear damage in liver and gill tissues of the African catfish collected from the same sites. Thus we may conclude that, the altered activities of G6PDH and LDH could be useful biomarkers of water pollution. At the same time, histopathology provides a reliable, easily quantifiable index of low-level toxic stress to a broad range of environmental pollutants.

Lipid Oxidation of Catfish (<i>Arius maculatus</i>) after Cooking and Smoking by Different Methods Applied in Cameroon

The influence of different cooking and smoking methods (boiling, frying, frying + boiling, hot and cold smoking) on oxidation and fatty acid composition of catfish (Arius maculatus) commercialized on the Wouri river coast was evaluated including commonly used analytical indexes (peroxide and acid values)and physical analysis by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The mean moisture, protein, ash and fat contents of raw fish were 75.88 ± 0.55;64.24 ± 0.14;10.98 ± 0.31 and 23.02 ± 0.88 respectively. All these treatments provoke the modification of the quality indexes. Lipid deterioration, thermolysis and lipid oxidation occurred throughout the treatment. Peroxide value decreased for all cooked and smoked catfish, while free fatty acids of smoked sample increased. The FTIR applied to evaluate lipid oxidation in extracted lipid clearly provided a better picture of the oxidation progress and led to a similar conclusion with chemical analysis. Boiled, bleaching hot and bleaching cold smoking were found to be the suitable treatment methods for catfish because they gave it a high nutritive value compared to other smoking methods.

Diazinon-Induced Clastogenity and Pathological Changes in Ovaries and Testes of Clarias gariepinus

In most tropical developing countries, one of the problems facing aquaculture industry is the pollution of ponds and rivers with pesticides. Chemicals such as diazinon, an organophosphate pesticide, originating from agricultural activity enter the aquatic environment through atmospheric deposition, surface run-off or leaching. Pollutants enter the food chain through accumulation in soft bottom sediment and aquatic organisms. However, information on how these pesticides affect inhabiting organisms is often not available. In a triplicate experimental set-up, seventy-two (72) apparently healthy catfish comprising adult and juvenile of both sexes were therefore exposed to a previously determined no effect concentration (0.405 ppm) of diazinon. Another set of fish was exposed to 0.0625 μg sodium arsenite, a known clastogen, which was used as the positive control, while another set of catfish exposed to the culture water alone was the negative control. Adults and juveniles were exposed separately to avoid cannibalism. After 48 hours of exposure, micronuclei induction was determined in subsets of experimental groups, while exposure continued for 28 days. Catfish organs were harvested on days 21 and 28 to determine the effect of long-term exposure to diazinon on histology. Water quality was also monitored before and during exposure in the experimental groups. The result established a significantly high mean micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (15.00) in catfish exposed to diazinon suggesting genetic damage (normal is ≤4). The MPE in sodium arsenite exposed fish was 28, while that of the control group was below 4. Effect of sex and age on micronuclei induction was not significant. Histological alteration observed in the ovary and testis was distorted matured cells and extensive testicular degeneration, respectively. The results show that diazinon has clastogenic effect, and may have endocrine disrupting properties because of the histological changes induced in the ovaries and testis.

Effect of Feeding on Fresh(wet)Housefly Maggots(Musca domestica)with or without Artificial Diet on Water Quality and Growth Rates of African Catfish(Clarias gariepinus Burchell,1822)Fry under Laboratory Conditions

No or little information on the use fresh(wet)housefly maggots(Musca domestica)in African catfish(Clarias gariepinus)fry feeding.Therefore,this study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding on fresh(wet)housefly maggots with or without artificial diet on water quality,growth performance,survival percentage and feed utilization of African catfish fry under laboratory conditions.Housefly maggots produced from a mixture of poultry droppings and foods wastes,it was used to replace artificial feed at 0,50 and 100% levels.Catfish were fed artificial diet alone(Feed 1),fresh(wet)housefly maggots alone(Feed 2),and 50% fresh housefly maggots with 50% artificial diet(Feed 3)were prepared and tested on triplicate groups of African catfish fry(initial weight of 0.25±0.02 g)for 60 days.Results showed that final weight(g/fish)was significantly(P≤0.05)higher in fish fed on feed 3(6.03±0.08),followed by fish fed feed 2(4.62±0.27),followed by fish fed feed 1(3.15±0.68).Specific growth rate(%/day)was also significantly higher in fish fed on feed 3(5.31±0.10),followed by fish fed feed 2(4.86±0.03),followed by fish fed feed 1(4.18±0.24).The same trend was observed with total weight gain,percentage weight gain,daily growth rate and relative growth rate.Feed intake and protein intake were significantly(P≤0.05)higher in fish fed on feed 3 and fish fed on feed 2,followed by fish fed feed 1.While,feed conversion ratio(FCR)and protein efficiency ratio were not significantly(P>0.05),but the improvement in FCR recorded in catfish fry fed feed 3 and feed 2 under the experimental conditions.Survival percentage was within the range 55-75%,with insignificant differences(P>0.05)among treatments.The water quality parameters such as temperature,pH,dissolved oxygen,total ammonia,nitrite and nitrate were not significantly(P>0.05)between the treatments and were tolerable for Catfish culture.Accordingly,use of the 50% fresh(wet)housefly maggots with 50% artificial diet in African catfish fry feeding had positive effect on growth performance and reduce of the feed cost.

Effect of Short-Term Exposure to Mercuric Chloride on the Air-Breathing Catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis──Ⅱ.Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of the Gill

Alterations in the respiratory epithelium of gills of a catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis by the sublethal and lethal concentrations of HgCl2 have been observcd using scanning electron microscope. Fish exposed to 0.1 ppm shows a thin coat ot mucus, but the continuous layer of mucus is not retained in 0.3 ppm after 24 h of exposure. Epithelial cells of the gill filament are hyperplastic. Other changcs in the respiratory epithelium are contraction of epithelium, formation of interlamellar bridge and diminishing number of microridges. Massive destruction of the respiratory epithelium by deep lesions and sloughing of epithelial layer in 0.5 and 1.0 ppm solutions after 6-12 h of exposure apparently causes death to the fish. SEM observations are well in conformity with the findings made at light microscopic level

Effect of Heavy Metals Pollution on Protein Biosynthesis in Catfish

The present study was carried out to evaluate the pollution and its effect on the quality of catfish. Four sites in Eygpt were chosen for the research, Ras El-Bar (Site 1) as control, Shatta (Site 2), Kafr El-Bateekh (Site 3), and Talkha (Site 4). The research was carried out on water, sediments and catfish (serum and muscles). Nitrite, nitrate and ammonia were determined in water and sediment. Also, RNA and DNA were determined in serum samples and the muscles of the catfish. In addition, the concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Fe, Zn and Cu) were estimated in water, sediments and the muscles of catfish. Also, hepatosomatic index, liver water content, condition factor, lipid and protein contents were determined in the fish. The concentrations of nitrite, nitrate and ammonia in water and sediment of Site 4 and the levels of heavy metals especially Pb and Cd in water, sediment and muscle of catfish from Sites 3 and 4 were highly elevated compared to those of the control. On the other hand, DNA, RNA and protein contents in the catfish of Sites 3 and 4 decreased. The results illustrated that, Cd and Pb levels in the muscle of catfish were negatively correlated with DNA, RNA and with the protein contents. In conclusion, the accumulation of heavy metals in catfish tissues therefore, can cause health problems in human after catfish intake.

Microbial Food Safety Risks Associated with Fresh and Thawed Catfish Fillets during Refrigerated Storage

Fish processing environment is very favorable for the growth of microorganisms and highlights a potential risk associated with microbial hazards. The present study investigated the growth behavior of aerobic bacteria, yeasts and molds, and bacterial pathogens or surrogate (Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium sporogenes) on thawed and fresh catfish fillets during refrigerated storage (5&deg;C - 7&deg;C). Thawed and fresh fillets were respectively inoculated with L. monocytogenes and C. sporogenes, and packaged in LDPE bags. In uninoculated catfish, the populations of aerobic bacteria, and yeasts and molds increased significantly (P C. sporogenes vegetative cells on fresh catfish fillets. These results indicated that the microbiological quality of refrigerated thawed catfish would become unacceptable within 3 - 4 days. Our results also implied that environmental pathogens such as L. monocytogenes and Clostridium sp. can survive on catfish fillets for extended periods during refrigerated storage. Proper sanitation and hygienic practices are essential to control microbial hazards during handling and processing of catfish fillets.

Optimization of process conditions for drying of catfish(Clarias gariepinus)using Response Surface Methodology(RSM)

Drying is applied to lower the moisture content of fish to a level that can prevent the growth of mould and infestation of micro-organism and thus minimizes microbial degradation.The goal of this work was to optimize the process conditions during electrical oven drying of catfish.Moisture content(MC)was quantitatively investigated during the drying process of catfish sizes using response surface methodology(RSM)to obtain minimum moisture content.The independent process variables for the drying process were temperature(50–70◦C),product thickness(10–20 mm),salt concentration(0–20%)and drying time(480–600 min.).Two factorial interaction(2FI)regression model describing the effects of independent drying process variables on the moisture content was developed.The effects of temperature and drying time were more pronounced for MC than the thickness and salt concentration.The optimum conditions were found to be temperature=63.43◦C,product thickness=14.81 mm,salt concentration=9.07%and drying time=600 min.At these optimum conditions,moisture content was found to be 2.64%w.b.Validation of experimental results with the empirical model was evaluated using coefficient of correlation(R2)which was found for the model equation as,R2=0.994.

DNA Barcoding of Common Commercial Sea Catfish (Genus: Plicofollis) from Kuwait

Kuwait fish market is one of the richest markets of native marine fish species. Sea catfishes are not very important in economic point of view, and only few of them (four species) are present and mistakenly, they all named (Chem). Using DNA barcode technique, the common sea catfish present in the East major fish market (Sharq) was analyzed. Based on the most common species ID databases (Barcoding of life database, BOLD and NCBI database), the most proposal identification that is compatible with major survey in 1997, the sea catfish is Plicofollis tenuispinis, the thin-spin sea catfish with similarity 100% and phylogenetic support of 78% bootstrap value. This is the first application of DNA barcode technique to thin-spine sea catfish of Kuwait.

The potential of two vegetable-carried blood meals as protein sources in African catfish (<i>Clarias gariepinus</i>, Burchell) juvenile diets

The study was designed to determine the growth response of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) juveniles on diets with two vegetable-carried blood meals (brewers’ dried grains with blood meal (BB) and rumen contents with blood meal (RB)) as protein sources and alternatives to imported commercial fish feed (CatCo?). Diets, with BB and RB included at 10%, formulated to supply 45% crude protein and 4,300 Kcal digestible energy/kg in similarity with CatCo?, were used in a 49-day trial in plastic tanks (L × B × H: 53 cm × 37 cm × 29 cm;capacity 50 liters). Juveniles were evaluated in terms of mean final body weight (MFBW), mean weight gain (MWG), average daily gain (ADG), specific growth rate (SGR), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed cost/g gain (FCGA), and mortality (as % survival). CatCo? was superior (P ? was similar (P < 0.05) to BB in PER but inferior in FCGA (0.46 vs. 0.36 Naira/g gain;1 US$ = N150). RB was similar (P < 0.05) to BB in PER but least economical in FCGA (0.51 Naira/g gain). The study demonstrated the potential of vegetable-carried blood meals from brewers’ dried grains and dewatered rumen contents as alternatives for use as feed for African catfish especially juveniles.

Virulence of <i>Aeromonas hydrophila</i>Isolated from Fresh Water Catfish

Background: A large proportion of Nigerians consume fish as the source of protein in their meals. This may be attributed to health factors, preference and affordability for low income earners. The incidence of Aeromonas hydrophila in fresh catfish may constitute a significant health risk to the consumer if there is a horizontal transfer to man as it has been reported to be pathogenic. This study examined the possibility of fresh water catfish being a reservoir of pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila. Method: Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated from the different organs of fresh water catfish (Clarias gariepinus and Ictalurus punctatus) obtained from Kporoko river in Lokoja. Aeromonas hydrophila was identified using both phenotypic and genotypic methods. The pathogenic traits of the Aeromonas species such as biofilm formation, production of haemolysin, enterotoxin and enzymes were determined. Results: Aeromonas hydrophila occurred in all the examined fish organs (fish, liver, kidney, skin and gut) of Clarias gariepinus but occurred only in the skin, intestine, kidney and gut of Ictalurus punctatus examined, but the incidence of Aeromonas hydrophila was prevalent in the gut of all the fishes analyzed. All the Aeromonas isolates analysed in this study produced biofilm, haemolysins and lipase enzymes. They also produced enterotoxins with values ranging between 0.069 - 1.138. Conclusion: The occurrence of Aeromonas in fresh catfish possessing these pathogenic traits is of great public health significance to man as it indicates the likelihood of man being predisposed to toxigenicity when the toxin concentration reaches a lethal value. It is therefore recommended that the internal organs of fresh catfish be thoroughly cleaned and cooked before consumption.