Abstract
In order to determine the feasibility of the examination of fecat pellets hanging on the anus offish to determine the microflora of the intestine, the microflora of fecal pellets of goldfish andtilapia was compared with that of their intestinal contents. There were no significant differences inthe viable counts of the major components of bacteria between the two specimens from the samefish although the minor bacteria were not necessarily detected in both specimens. These resultsshow that the fecal pellets hanging on the fish are useful specimens to determine the intestinal microflora of the fish, and that serial sampling is possible in the same individual by this method.
