Description of the unusual digestive tract of and the potential impact of infection.

Background: Ephippidae fish are characterized by a discoid shape with a very small visceral cavity. Among them has a high economic potential due to its flesh quality and flesh to carcass ratio. Nonetheless, the development of its aquaculture is limited by high mortality rates, especially due to infection, occurring one to three weeks after the transfer of fishes from bio-secure land-based aquaculture system to the lagoon cages for growth.