An Exophiala-like fungus as the cause of a systemic mycosis of marine fish

Abstract. A systemic Exophiala -like mycosis occurred naturally in five genera of captive fishes and it was experimentally produced in three additional genera: Tautogolabrus adspersus (Walbaum), Pseudopleuronectes americanus (Walbaum) and Fundulus heteroclitus (L.) by intraperitoneal injection of spores. Histo-pathologically both acute, necrotic and focal granulomatous reactions were present in naturally infected animals. The lesions were reproduced following spore inoculations while a diffuse, proliferative, granulomatous reaction followed inoculation of hyphae alone. Reports of systemic mycoses in fish and other animals due to pigmented or dematiaceous fungi are discussed and lesions compared.