Toxicity of Poly(I:C) against Japanese Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

We evaluated the effect of rearing temperature (13 and 17 degrees C) on the toxicity of Poly(I:C) against Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus (mean BW 8.2 g). In the fish reared at 17 degrees C, we observed signs of toxicity such as redness or ulceration of the skin around the inoculation site or death in 41.7%, 16.7%, 16.7% and 0% of the fish injected with 800, 400, 200 and 100 mu g Poly(I:C)/fish, respectively. In the fish reared at 13 degrees C, we observed signs of toxicity in 83.3%, 75.0%, 25.0% and 33.3% of the fish that were injected with 800, 400, 200 and 100 mu g Poly(I:C)/fish, respectively. Our results suggest that the toxicity of Poly(I:C) is higher in Japanese flounder reared at 13 degrees C than in those reared at 17 degrees C.