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A visceral form of a Dermocystidium-like organism was found at 13% prevalence in a carp and in 7·4% in a roach population from Greece. Successful experimental transmission was recorded only in carp. Pathology of the parasite in experimental fish and naturally infected fish was similar. ©1998 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles

A new species of Dermocystidium is reported to be the causative agent of three outbreaks of gill disease in carp observed in recent years in Czechoslovakia. No other parasites or influences could be held responsible for the disease. It is suggested that at least some of gill disease of unknown aetiology in carp is due to dermocystidia, and the disease might be distributed in many regions of Europe. A description of a greater part of the developmental cycle of the species D. cyprini n.sp. Cervinka et Lom, is presented, supplemented by a discussion of other species of the genus. A summary of known facts on the host-parasite relation in these parasites is also given.