Authors: Dang Thuy Binh1 *, Vu Dang Ha Quyen1 , Tran Quang Sang1 , Truong Thi Oanh1
(1)Institute for Biotechnology and Environment, Nha Trang University 02 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street. Nha Trang City, Vietnam
*binhdt@ntu.edu.vn
Abstract: Seahorse (Hippocampus spp) are economically valuable species, and are used in traditional medicine. In Vietnam, seahorse cultivation has been recently developed in some regions namely Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Hue, Da Nang and Vung Tau. Some seahorse farms in Khanh Hoa are now facing problems with unknown disease occuring in seahorses (Hippocampus spp.). In the present study, Vibrio bacteria were isolated from Hippocampus spp., which had ulcerations. Physiological and biochemical testing as well as 16S rDNA sequencing confirmed that the bacterium were closely related to Vibrio harveyi. V. alginolyticus, and V. vulnificus. Vibrio harveyi were grouped with V. campbellii, and other Vibrio sp. species, however, the luminescent ability would help to confirm species identification. Further studies need to be focused on optimal environmental parameters as well as prevention and treatment methods to better and sustainable seahorse farming.
Keywords: seahorse, bacteria, Vibrio, Hippocampus spp., Vietnam Abbreviation: Vibriosis in cultured seahorse