“…However, a low mortality rate (13.33%) was observed when the fishes were experimentally instilled in the gills with 5.0 x 10 5 CFU/fish. Similar clinical signs to those observed in this study were reported by Salvador et al (2003;2005), in the Brazilian state of Parana, and also by Figueiredo et al (2006) in the Brazilian states of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais, in the tilapia cultivated in the earthen ponds and net-tanks. The authors reported lethargia, anorexia, erratic swimming, uni-or bilateral exophthamia, ascites and high mortality.…”