Gas-bubble disease in the brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus)

Gas-bubble disease in larval and juvenile brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) is described. Stage II protozoeal, larval brown shrimp developed the disease after being placed in water warmed in a closed heater that did not allow excess gas to escape. Juvenile brown shrimp developed gas-bubble disease after being held in a pressure tank for 35 h. The pressure in the tank had been maintained at 2 585 mm Hg with compressed air. The implications of the finding that shrimp are susceptible to gas-bubble disease are discussed in relation to shrimp culture activities, particularly those that use heated water.