ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL PATHOGENIC BACTERIA IN CARP (Cyprinus carpio LINNAEUS, 1758) CULTURED IN FISH FARMS, KASHMIR

The purpose of this research was to find out if there were any possibly disease-causing bacteria in carp cultured in Central and South Kashmir, as well as to find what species they were. Fish samples were taken from different local fish farms of the Srinagar and Anantnag districts. Once a week, three fish samples were collected from each farm and repeated three times. Bacteria were found in the fish's mucous membranes, gills, liver, and kidneys, among other places. To determine the bacteria's species, the results of each target organ's isolation were biochemically evaluated. Potential pathogenic bacteria found in carp from this research are (21.02%) Aeromonas sp., (7.64 %), Staphylococcus sp., (3.28%) Shigella sp., (14.65%) Bacillus sp., (3.82%) Proteus sp., (1.91%) Salmonella sp., (9.55%) E. coli, (6.37%) Enterobacter sp., (8.92%) Klebsiella sp., (10.83%) Pseudomonas sp., (5.73%) Acinetobacter sp., (3.82%), Flavobacterium sp. and ,(1.91% ) Serratia sp. Based on the results of research that has been done, we observed that bacterial infections are the most prominent microbiological agents impacting cultured fish, Aeromonas sp. and Bacillus sp. were most prevalent in fish microbiota. Contamination of fish's natural environment may have an impact not only on the health of fish stocks but also on public health, as fish and fish products can be a source of human pathogens. This study offers some inputs on likely bacterial infestation of fish and fish products which can compromise public health.