Isolation and identification of Citrobacter spp. from Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.)

Abstract

Citrobacter spp. is a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae. They are commonly called a group of bacteria that inhabit the intestine tract of humans and other animals. In fish, Citrobacter spp. infection may cause skin ulcerative lesions, distended abdomen, pale liver, darkened spleen, watery kidney and bloody exsudate in gastrointestinal system in fish. Bacteria of the genus Citrobacter are inhabitants of the intestinal tract of fish and are present in sewage, surface waters and in food contaminated with faeces material and soil. This study was conducted to isolate and identify Citrobacter spp from tilapia hybrid fry from aquaculture fresh water ponds. Yersinia Selective Agar, medium for the selective cultivation of Yersinia spp. were used to obtain pure cultures of Citrobacter spp. 100 µl of bacteria cultures were spread-platting by using a sterile hockey-stick onto medium