THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DISEASES OF THE AUSTRALIAN RED-CLAW CRAYFISH CHERAX QUADRICARINATUS (VON MARTENS, 1868) WHEN CULTIVATED IN AQUACULTURE

The aim of the study is to review the literature on the etiological characteristics of pathogens causing infectious processes, possible disease symptoms and the expected outcome of the pathological condition of aquatic organisms. Objectives: primary selection of literature on publicly available electronic bibliographic databases using keywords; analysis of the literature included in the study, its systematization, compilation and processing of the presented information. The literature was taken into account for the period from 2000 to 2024, the study included 76 sources. A brief reference is presented giving a general idea of the Australian red claw crayfish, a description of the pathogens most characteristic of the red claw crayfish. Most of them relate to viral microorganisms, such as white spot syndrome virus, which also affects other crustaceans, bacilliform virus characterized by the presence of rod-shaped virions; a virus similar to the Cherax giardiasis virus (Giardia-like virus), causing digestive disorders. In addition to viruses, red claw crayfish are susceptible to bacterial infections, such as rickettsia-like microorganisms, which can lead to the death of individuals. Among fungal pathogens, Fusarium spp. and Aphanomyces astaci are quite common, the latter being responsible for the development of crayfish plague, a disease with a high risk of mass mortality of aquatic organisms. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that there is a significant diversity of pathogens of viral, fungal and bacterial nature that can provoke the death of infected individuals, and with high contagiousness, mass mortality in the population, which will lead to economic losses in the industry and disrupt its sustainable development.