Watermolds and Their Activity in Kumaun Himalaya, India

Abstract

Five important lakes of Kumaun Himalaya were studied for the occurrence of watermolds and their parasitic association with eggs, fry and adults of fishes. A total of 22 watermolds were found to be distributed in different lakes. Of them, 14 species caused infection in fishes. The facultative watermolds caused various abnormalities in fishes including mass mortality under natural conditions. Saprolegniaparasitica showed maximum infection in fishes. Adults of Puntiusconchonius, P. ticto, Torputitora and T. tor showed maximum fungal infection.