Farmed fish face a range of parasitic challenges beyond sea lice. Gill flukes and amoebic gill disease cause significant welfare impacts in salmon and other farmed species.
Gill parasites cause respiratory compromise and chronic irritation that significantly reduces farmed fish welfare. Affected fish experience reduced oxygen uptake, altered swimming behaviour and increased physiological stress indicators. Treatment options carry their own welfare costs through handling and osmotic stress. The welfare priority is early detection through routine monitoring and treatment before burdens reach levels causing severe respiratory distress.