Aquaculture

Farmed Tilapia Disease Management: Streptococcosis Welfare Impact

Streptococcal disease is a major welfare and production problem in farmed tilapia, causing neurological signs and death.

Key Facts

Streptococcus agalactiae causes meningoencephalitis, eye damage, and mortality in tilapia
Disease pressure increases with high stocking density and elevated water temperature
Vaccination programmes are effective and reduce antibiotic use in tilapia farms
Early detection through behavioural observation reduces outbreak severity

Welfare Considerations

Streptococcal infection causes neurological suffering - spinning, loss of balance, and prolonged death. Preventive vaccination and density management are proven tools to reduce this significant welfare burden.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture standards requiring disease prevention protocols
Choose tilapia from farms using vaccination rather than prophylactic antibiotics
Advocate for tilapia welfare standards in national aquaculture regulation