The sweltering summer heat has taken its toll on tilapia and other fishes, as they become infected with deadly lice. Westly Rosario, center chief of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and interim director of the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center in this city, told The STAR yesterday that some of the saline tilapia they have been culturing were found to have parasites. Rosario said the fishes were infested with Caligid copepods (Caligus epidemicus), which cause skin and muscle erosion, and isopods (Rhexanella sp.), which make the fish itch and sustain scratches on their bodies. Rosario said the higher the density of the fish (or the more fish being cultured in a pond at a time), the more likely they become infested.

Visperas, E. (2015, May 8). Summer heat takes toll on tilapia. Philippine Star, p. 14.