Lu Songhui and I.J. Hodgkiss, Department of Ecology & Biodiversity, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

Abstract

Marine raphidophytes can pose a serious threat to finfish aquaculture. The first harmful bloom of raphidophytes in Hong Kong waters was caused by Heterosigma akashiwo, which bloomed in Yim Tin Tsai in March 1987. Blooms of Chattonella marina and C. ovata occurred in 1991 and 2001, respectively. Fish kills resulting from these blooms were recorded. So far 5 species of raphidophytes have been identified. They are: Chattonella antiqua, C. globosa, C. marina, C. ovata, and Heterosigma akashiwo.