Fin Erosion Disease of Starry Flounder (<i>Platichthys stellatus</i>) and English Sole (<i>Parophrys vetulus</i>) in the Estuary of the Duwamish River, Seattle, Washington

Abstract

Fin erosion in the starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus) and English sole (Parophrys vetulus) of the Duwamish River, Washington, is characterized by ulcerating chronic inflammation and fibrosis with resorption of fin rays. The end result is deformation, shortening, and retraction of residual fin tissue with loss of functional surface. We suggest that the incidence of fin erosion in a particular population is related to an interaction between genetic constitution and multiple environmental variables, including a variety of chemical pollutants.