Microbiological Analysis of Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) Grown in Flow-Through Tanks

Aquacultured striped bass from indoor flow-through tanks were examined for quantity and quality of microflora. Plate counts were performed at three temperatures (7°C, 22°C, and 35°C) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Bacterial loads on the skin, gills, and intestines were similar to those reported for wild striped bass and pond-raised hybrid striped bass. The predominant groups of bacteria isolated were Aeromonas spp. (18%), Flavobacterium/Cytophaga species (15%), Comamonadaceae (15%), Plesiomonas shigelloides (13%), Moraxellaceae (6%), Bacillus spp. (4%), and an unidentified gram-negative rod (9%). Foodborne pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio spp. were also isolated.