Overview
Vibrio rotiferianus is an emerging Gram-negative marine bacterium recognized as a significant pathogen in aquaculture systems worldwide. Part of the Vibrio harveyi clade, this bacterium causes infections and mortality across a diverse range of marine hosts including fish, shellfish, shrimp, scallops, and seahorses. Originally associated with rotifer cultures, V. rotiferianus has gained attention as aquaculture operations expand globally, with outbreaks linked to environmental factors such as temperature fluctuations and organic loading.
Affected species (hosts)
Marine Fish:
- Trachinotus ovatus (pompano) – severe pathology and mortality
- Black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) – skin ulcer disease
- Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) – aquaculture outbreaks
- Seahorses (Hippocampus erectus) – tail-rot disease
Shellfish and Crustaceans:
- Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) – vibriosis outbreaks
- Scallop larvae (Spondylus limbatus) – hatchery mortality
- Oyster larvae – larval mortality
- Various UK shellfish species
Other Marine Organisms:
- Rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) – culture contamination
- Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) – lesion formation
- Linckia guildingi starfish – transmissible infections
Antibiotic Resistance and Treatment Challenges
β-lactam Resistance. Genomic analysis reveals that V. rotiferianus strains commonly carry β-lactam resistance genes, making standard penicillin-based treatments ineffective. This resistance pattern has been documented across multiple geographic regions and host species.
Variable Antibiotic Sensitivity. While some strains show resistance to commonly used antibiotics like amoxicillin, others demonstrate sensitivity to a broader range of antimicrobials. Seahorse isolates have shown sensitivity to 17 different antibiotics, suggesting strain-specific variation in resistance patterns.
Virulence Factor Diversity. Genome sequencing has identified up to 74 virulence factors in some V. rotiferianus strains, contributing to their pathogenic potential across diverse host species. These factors likely contribute to the bacterium’s ability to cause severe pathology in multiple marine taxa.
Environmental Persistence. The bacterium’s ability to persist in aquaculture environments and rotifer cultures suggests robust environmental survival capabilities, making prevention and control particularly challenging in closed aquaculture systems.
Management and Prevention Strategies
Prevention. Implement strict biosecurity protocols in aquaculture facilities, with regular monitoring of water quality and bacterial loads. Quarantine new stock and maintain optimal environmental conditions to reduce stress-induced susceptibility.
Environmental Management. Control organic loading and maintain stable water temperatures, as environmental stress can trigger V. rotiferianus outbreaks. Monitor recirculating aquaculture systems particularly closely, as these environments can promote bacterial proliferation.
Alternative Treatments. Given widespread antibiotic resistance, explore probiotic biocontrol agents such as Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis OS-9, which has shown inhibitory effects against V. rotiferianus in laboratory studies.
Early Detection. Implement regular monitoring programs, especially during high-risk periods such as temperature fluctuations or increased organic loading. Focus surveillance on larval stages, which appear particularly vulnerable to infection.
Antibiotic Considerations. Conduct sensitivity testing before antibiotic treatment, as resistance patterns vary by strain and geographic region. Avoid β-lactam antibiotics due to widespread resistance. Always consult with a veterinarian before using antibiotics, and be aware that antibiotic use in aquariums requires careful consideration.
V. rotiferianus 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
Harrison, J., et al. (2021). The increased prevalence of Vibrio species and the first reporting of Vibrio jasicida and Vibrio rotiferianus at UK shellfish sites. Water Research, 211, 117942. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2021.117942
Liu, C., et al. (2024). Isolation and complete genome sequence analysis of Vibrio rotiferianus strain TO-01 from Trachinotus ovatus to reveal its pathogenicity and drug resistance. Aquaculture Reports. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2024.102215
Zhang, Z., et al. (2019). First report of isolation and complete genome of Vibrio rotiferianus strain SSVR1601 from cage-cultured black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) associated with skin ulcer. Journal of Fish Diseases, 42(5), 623-630. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.12963
Revilla, J., et al. (2025). First draft genome sequence of Vibrio rotiferianus isolated from diseased larvae of the spiny rock-scallop Spondylus limbatus during hatchery outbreaks. Microbial Pathogenesis, 107617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2025.107617
Yang, Q., et al. (2017). Identification and characterization of pathogen Vibrio rotiferianus, a pathogen isolated from Hippocampus erectus with tail-rot disease. Journal of Fishery Sciences of China, 24, 1131. https://doi.org/10.3724/sp.j.1118.2017.16310
Bachand, P., et al. (2020). Genomic identification and characterization of co-occurring Harveyi clade species following a vibriosis outbreak in Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus (litopenaeus) vannamei. Aquaculture. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2019.734628
Woods, C., et al. (2022). Assessing the Activity of Antimicrobial Peptides Against Common Marine Bacteria Located in Rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis) Cultures. Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins, 14, 620-629. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12602-022-09928-2
Caballes, C., et al. (2012). Interspecific transmission and recovery of TCBS-induced disease between Acanthaster planci and Linckia guildingi. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 100(3), 263-267. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02480
Yaylacı, E. (2022). Characterization of Pseudoalteromonas sp. from Aquaculture Environment and Optimization of Fermentation Culture Parameters by RSM-Based Modeling. Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. https://doi.org/10.4194/trjfas21726
Xue, S., et al. (2017). Impact of environmental bacterial communities on fish health in marine recirculating aquaculture systems. Veterinary Microbiology, 203, 34-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.01.034