Impaired health in flounder, Paralichthys spp. inhabiting coastal Chile

Flounder, Paralichthys microps and P. adspersus, were collected from Concepcion and San Vicente Bays, Chile, and the health status was examined. Results showed that the health of the two species was impaired severely, but was less pronounced at San Vicente and least at an area external to Concepcion Bay, based on external macroscopic lesions, condition factor, blood values, and pathological changes in the liver, gills, spleen, and kidney. Significantly increased hepatosomatic index, splenosomatic index, and ovariosomatic index values were associated with increased mixed-function oxygenase activity, increased hemosiderin deposits in the spleen, and delayed spawning, respectively.