Isolation and Characterization of Flavobacteriaceae from Farmed and Wild Nile Tilapia in Tanzania.

The present study was conducted to explore the occurrence of Flavobacteriaceae in wild (n = 108) and farmed (n = 187) Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) collected from Lake Victoria and twelve ponds in the Morogoro region, respectively. The size of the ponds surveyed ranged from 130 - 150 m2 . Ponds parameters and fish morphometric data were recorded during sampling. A total of 67 (farmed n = 44 and wild = 23) Flavobacterium-like isolates were identified on the basis of colony morphology and biochemical tests. Sequences from 16S rRNA gene revealed that all 67 isolates belonged to the genera Flavobacterium and Chryseobacterium. Based on 16S rRNA nucleotide identity, 26 isolates showed high similarity with Chryseobacterium indologenes (99 to 100% identity), 16 to Chryseobacterium joostei (98 - 99.9%), 17 to diverse species of Chryseobacterium (97 - 99%). Three isolates were each similar to Flavobacterium aquatile and Flavobacterium indicum with 99 - 100% nucleotide identity respectively and 2 isolates were similar to Flavobacterium oryzae (99 - 100%). The findings obtained in this study provide a baseline for future studies and contribute to an understanding of the threats presented by the aquatic Flavobacteriaceae reservoir towards the development of healthy fish farming in Tanzania. Such knowledge is vital for the development of sustainable aquaculture industry in Tanzania that will contribute to increased food security. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.