More Than a Third of S.C. Shrimp Show Signs of Black Gill Disease, DNR Research Shows
October 31, 2023 | 1 min to read
When shrimp are infected with black gill, the signs are unmistakable, as described by Cindy Tarvin of Tarvin Seafood Inc., who notes the appearance resembles a “tiny little Sharpie” on the gills. This condition, prevalent in South Carolina, is caused by a parasitic apostome ciliate that attaches to the shrimp, leading to notable darkened gills, potentially indicating an immune response to the parasite.
When shrimp are infected with black gill, shrimpers can tell right away.
“It looks like someone takes a tiny little Sharpie and draws on the gill,” said Cindy Tarvin, co-owner of Tarvin Seafood Inc. “It’s very distinctive.”
Black gill in SC’s shrimp is caused by an apostome ciliate, a parasitic organism, that attaches itself to the crustaceans. The most visible symptom of this disease is darkened gills, possibly an immune response to the ciliate.
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