ABSTRACT
The number of white sturgeon being cultured in northern California and northern Italy is steadily increasing, and with this intensive culture, diseases that affect the species are beginning to emerge. Four virus diseases have thus far been associated with mortality in cultured white sturgeon: white sturgeon adenovirus (WSAV), the white sturgeon iridovirus (WSIV), and two white sturgeon herpesviruses (WSHV-1 and WSHV-2). WSAV was identified from diseased juvenile white sturgeon between 1984 and 1986, but has since precipitated no serious disease problems. The virus was initially observed among 0.5-g sturgeon at a fish farm in northern California. Affected fish appeared lethargic, anorexic, emaciated, livers were pale, and intestines were void of food. WSIV was first isolated from cultured juvenile white sturgeon at several fish farms in northern California in 1988. The virulence of the adenovirus and herpesviruses adds to the disease significance.
