Robert M. Durborow, Cooperative Extension Facility, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY 40601, and M. David Crosby, Cooperative Extension Program, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA 23806

Abstract. In Kentucky and Virginia, where aquaculture is a newly emerging industry, the most significant fish disease problems differ from those found in the larger catfish-producing states in the deep south (e.g. Mississippi and Alabama). Enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC) and winter saprolegniosis (also called winter kill) are the fish disease problems that have the most economic impact on the aquaculture industry in the major catfish production states. In Kentucky and Virginia, ESC and winter saprolegniosis are diagnosed only about 2 or 3 times a year from an annual caseload of approximately 60, while Aeromonas-complex and external columnaris bacterial problems occur about 25 times. Differences in frequency of occurrence of particular disease problems also exist between Kentucky and Virginia. Bacterial infections are involved in 49% (average over the past five years) of all cases in Kentucky, while they occur in only 27% of the cases examined in Virginia. Parasite problems played a larger role in Virginia's fish health problems, comprising about 40% of cases, and were less significant in Kentucky at 30% of the caseload. Trichodina sp. caused the most number of parasite-related problems in Virginia, while gill flukes, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, and Trichophrya sp. were the leading parasites in Kentucky. Catfish are the most frequently submitted species in both the Kentucky and Virginia laboratories.