“Mushy flesh” Kudoa Parasite.

[Pickles]

@big Neil asked a few questions about “mushy flesh” in dolphin fish and Kingfish, which is becoming more apparent (maybe due to warming of our waters), so I thought I’d post some info if other Raiders are not familiar with the disease.

Kudoa is a microscopic parasite found in several, mostly pelagic fish in Australian eastern waters and worldwide. Enzymes produced by these parasites can make fish flesh soft or even gel-like, a condition commonly referred to as ”mushy  flesh”. The parasite does not infect humans and if you can bring yourself to eat it, will not affect humans. I’ve never even considered eating a fish with Kudoa as the firm flesh turns to “mush”, like custard.

It is impossible to tell if the fish is infected when caught, as the parasites (thrysites) are microscopic and the fish is only impacted  after it is killed or taken off ice, (I always keep my fish chilled after capture). As the parasite tries to “escape” it releases an enzyme that liquifies the flesh around it.

the link gives more information.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-05/mushy-fish-syndrome-parasite-kudoa-moving-in-nsw-waters/103661110

 

[noelm]

Mushy Kingfish have been around for ever, especially further north, most down here are OK, I have caught a few over the years, and I can tell you, eating them is not recommended, way back, most commercially caught fish (back when no one wanted them) it was common to have buyers cut a small section of flesh to inspect before paying.

[zmk1962]

Hmmm. I wonder if the appearance in our waters here coincides with the kingfish farm escape debacle at Port Stephens ?!?

cheers Zoran 

[Green Hornet]

After catching a mushy kingfish myself, I can remember reading somewhere that if you cook the flesh in a microwave, it comes out fine.

Not for me though, any fish with any type of parasite or other issue ends up in the berley bucket.

[Green Hornet]

15 minutes ago, zmk1962 said:

Hmmm. I wonder if the appearance in our waters here coincides with the kingfish farm escape debacle at Port Stephens ?!?

cheers Zoran 

I doubt it, I’ve caught mushy kings going back as far as the early 1980’s down on the south coast.

[Pickles]

I’m with you Pete, I’m not eating it, micro waved or not.

[Pickles]

24 minutes ago, zmk1962 said:

Hmmm. I wonder if the appearance in our waters here coincides with the kingfish farm escape debacle at Port Stephens ?!?

cheers Zoran 

Not sure Zoran, I’ve only had a few incidents of it myself, but several of the fish recently caught had it and I know my mate Craig says it has occasionally occurred in fish in the harbour for 30 years or so.

[Steve0]

1 hour ago, Green Hornet said:

Not for me though, any fish with any type of parasite or other issue ends up in the berley bucket.

Might that spread the parasite to other fish?

[noelm]

1 hour ago, zmk1962 said:

Hmmm. I wonder if the appearance in our waters here coincides with the kingfish farm escape debacle at Port Stephens ?!?

cheers Zoran 

Nah, mushy Kingfish have been around since the early ‘70s that I personally know of, and my father often spoke about them being “rubbish” if you got a “soft one” mind you, we never ate them back then, we owned a 36’ in Huskisson way back, and everywhere we went, the “spinners” (lures) would be out the back, now and then dad would yell out “pull them in, big school of bloody Kingfish up ahead”

[Green Hornet]

40 minutes ago, Steve0 said:

Might that spread the parasite to other fish?

Good point, never really thought of that, though all my berleying happens in areas where kingfish don’t travel. Any future affected fish will go in the bin.

[big Neil]

Many thanks for the info and the link Bob. I'm sure there are many anglers who would have benefitted from your reply. On a positive note, it is good to acknowledge that it has no ill effects on humans.

Cheers. bn

[Green Hornet]

2 hours ago, noelm said:

Nah, mushy Kingfish have been around since the early ‘70s that I personally know of, and my father often spoke about them being “rubbish” if you got a “soft one” mind you, we never ate them back then, we owned a 36’ in Huskisson way back, and everywhere we went, the “spinners” (lures) would be out the back, now and then dad would yell out “pull them in, big school of bloody Kingfish up ahead”

Back in those days they used to call it milk disease.

Before sounders and GPS when leaving the Crookhaven Rivermouth, the marks for the big bommie off Currarong were head straight for Old Mans Hat and when the water turned black you were there. The black water was acres of kingies stacked in tight, just under the surface.

[noelm]

Yep correct, we always called them “milky”

[Steve0]

3 hours ago, Green Hornet said:

Good point, never really thought of that, though all my berleying happens in areas where kingfish don’t travel. Any future affected fish will go in the bin.

Hmmm! I wonder if thieving gulls catch mushy flesh

[Green Hornet]

41 minutes ago, Steve0 said:

Hmmm! I wonder if thieving gulls catch mushy flesh

Don’t know, I’ve never eaten one 😄😄

[zmk1962]

Thanks @Green Hornet @Pickles @noelm  good to know. I have caught a "milky" flathead that was treated like all the others on the day (spiked and thrown into ice chilled salt water) but was so soft and jelly like that it could not be filleted/skinned. The pelicans didn't seem to mind him tho ... so I guess another Kudoa case.

Cheers Z 

[Yowie]

Quite often the jewies I pull out of the Hacking, and occasionally a trag from outside, will have a white worm in the flesh when filleted. I just pull out the worm, cut out the meat around it, and cook the fillet. No sashimi, just cook it.  Nothing wrong with me so far.    🤣

[Robbo from Sydney]

On 11/22/2024 at 7:16 AM, Pickles said:

@big Neil asked a few questions about “mushy flesh” in dolphin fish and Kingfish, which is becoming more apparent (maybe due to warming of our waters), so I thought I’d post some info if other Raiders are not familiar with the disease.

Kudoa is a microscopic parasite found in several, mostly pelagic fish in Australian eastern waters and worldwide. Enzymes produced by these parasites can make fish flesh soft or even gel-like, a condition commonly referred to as ”mushy  flesh”. The parasite does not infect humans and if you can bring yourself to eat it, will not affect humans. I’ve never even considered eating a fish with Kudoa as the firm flesh turns to “mush”, like custard.

It is impossible to tell if the fish is infected when caught, as the parasites (thrysites) are microscopic and the fish is only impacted  after it is killed or taken off ice, (I always keep my fish chilled after capture). As the parasite tries to “escape” it releases an enzyme that liquifies the flesh around it.

the link gives more information.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-05/mushy-fish-syndrome-parasite-kudoa-moving-in-nsw-waters/103661110

 

Thanks Pickles - this is really informative.

[JonD]

Most kingfish we get over 120cm have the parasite and though some will happily eat it it raw as the flesh seems good still, Im not one of those people 🤮

Its funny as even had kings of 130cm where parts have cooked up ok and other parts turned to mush, which would indicate the parasite isn't always through t the entire body.

What have been the smallest kingfish people have experienced it with ?

Edited November 28 by JonD