Oncomonitoring of caspian sprats

Results of long-term research of tumorous disease in internals of two sprat species dwelling in the Caspian Sea ( Clupeonella delicatula and C. engrauliformes ) are presented. Pathological changes are similar for both species: they are mainly tumorogenesis and abnormalities in hemodynamics and morphology of parenchymatous and reproductive organs. The visceral neoplasms are diagnosed as malignant insulocarcinomas with conditionally pathogenic micromycetes in their granulomas (identified on smears of liver and spleen). Pathogenic Hyphomycetes fungi are detected in injured organs, mostly of the genus Aspergillus. The disease is registered for all age groups of fish but is more apparent for middle and elder ages. The morbidity has strong seasonal and year-to-year variability with the maximum in 2014. Pollution of marine environments contributes to development of the epizootic process.