Cardiac abnormality with associated hernia in farmed rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

A new type of cardiac malformation in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss from a broodstock fish farm is described. The ventricle of affected fish was located dorsodextrally to the atrium, while the latter was saccular, grossly enlarged and protruded through the muscles of the ventral body wall, forming a hernia covered only by dermis and epidermis. Histopathological changes included hypoplasia of the outer compact layer of the ventricular myocardium and severe distension of trabecular structures within the ventricle and atrium. Affected fish tolerated stress very poorly, and the majority of the affected fish died during the freshwater period. The causation(s) are not known, but hereditary and environmental factors are likely, as no infectious agents were isolated or detected microscopically.