- Not harmful
Overview
Vibrio marisflavi is a Gram-negative marine bacterium first isolated from seawater in the Yellow Sea. Unlike many of its pathogenic relatives in the Vibrio genus, V. marisflavi appears to occur naturally in the marine environment without any documented pathogenic properties. This species belongs to the Marisflavi clade of marine Vibrio species and has been detected in various aquatic environments, though its ecological role and potential impact on marine organisms remains largely understudied.
Affected species (hosts)
Environmental Occurrence:
- Seawater (Yellow Sea) – primary isolation source
- Coastal marine environments
- Associated with marine microbial communities
Non-pathogenic associations:
- No documented fish diseases
- No reported coral infections
- No confirmed invertebrate pathogenicity
- Detected in cattle rumen microbiota (likely environmental contamination)
Important Note: Current research provides no evidence that V. marisflavi causes disease in fish, corals, or other marine organisms commonly kept in saltwater aquariums.
Environmental Distribution and Ecological Role
Marine Distribution: V. marisflavi has been primarily documented in coastal seawater environments, particularly in the Yellow Sea region. The species appears to be part of the natural marine bacterial community rather than functioning as a pathogen.
Taxonomic Classification: This species belongs to the Marisflavi clade within the Vibrio genus, which includes several marine species that are generally non-pathogenic. Phylogenetic analyses place it close to other environmental Vibrio species rather than known pathogens.
Metabolic Characteristics: Like other members of the Marisflavi clade, V. marisflavi likely plays a role in marine nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition, though specific metabolic pathways have not been extensively characterized.
Research Limitations: Most studies mentioning V. marisflavi focus on taxonomic description and phylogenetic relationships rather than ecological function or potential interactions with marine hosts. This limits our understanding of its role in marine ecosystems.
Management and Prevention Strategies
Risk Assessment: Based on current evidence, V. marisflavi does not appear to pose a significant threat to saltwater aquarium organisms. No specific management protocols are needed for this species.
V. marisflavi in reef tanks
Prevalence
Looking at how common this pathogen is in other tanks can help you gauge whether finding it in your tank is expected or unusual.
Abundance Distribution
Comparing the levels of this pathogen in your tank with those found in other tanks provides a context for interpreting your test results.
References
Wang, H., et al. (2011). Vibrio marisflavi sp. nov., isolated from seawater. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 61(3), 568-573. https://doi.org/10.1099/ijs.0.022285-0
Liu, Y., et al. (2020). Genome-Wide Identification and Functional Characterization of β-Agarases in Vibrio astriarenae Strain HN897. Frontiers in Microbiology, 11, 1404. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.01404
Ramos, S., et al. (2021). Increasing buffering capacity enhances rumen fermentation characteristics and alters rumen microbiota composition of high-concentrate fed Hanwoo steers. Scientific Reports, 12, 24777. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-24777-3
Wang, W., et al. (2023). Vibrio sinus sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from coastal seawater. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 73(1), 005676. https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.005676
Moon, Y., & Park, J. (2021). Vibrio ulleungensis sp. nov., isolated from Mytilus coruscus. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 71(12), 005136. https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.005136