Pox-like lesions in a colony of carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Twelve carp (Cyprinus carpio) out of a total of 100 were affected with skin nodules, mainly located on the dorsal and lateral surface. Post mortem examination of six of the worst affected fish showed the nodules consisting of white gel-like outgrowths. No abnormality was apparent in any other tissue examined. Microscopically, the nodules were formed by proliferating hyperplastic epidermal cells. The other six fish were left for recovery and their nodules regressed spontaneously. The possible aetiological factors are listed.