Abstract

Proliferative, raised cutaneous granulomas have been noted in several species of morays in a mixed species exhibit at the Albuquerque Aquarium since it opened as part of the Albuquerque Biological Park in December, 1996. Granulomas have been distributed on all areas of the body and are suspected to be secondary to bite wounds. The lesions appear as red, friable masses elevated 1-10 mm above the skin surface, are often solitary or occasionally confluent, and can be quite large (18-20 cm diameter lesions have been noted). The lesions are remarkably similar in appearance to exhuberant granulation Cutaneous Granulomas seen in equids but are more friable. Surgical debridement coupled with antibiotic therapy has resulted in complete resolution of the lesions in selected cases. Vibrio sp. isolates have been the most common organism cultured from the lesions.