Edwardsiella piscicida is a highly pathogenic bacteria with a wide host range impacting global aquaculture. E. piscicida is reported to be more virulent to hybrid catfish (? channel (Ictalurus punctatus) ´ ? blue (I. furcatus)) than channel catfish. The prevalence of E. piscicida in hybrid catfish is particularly concerning since >90% of cases are reported in market-size fish . Reliant and reproducible laboratory infection models are essential while exploring the pathogenicity of these bacterial isolates. So far, only intracoelomic injections of the host have been successful with experimental E. piscicida-infections . As new bacterial strains emerge and evolve in response to environmental challenges, their virulence towards the host might alter. Interactions among various environmental triggers and the intensive rearing conditions may catalyze these host-pathogen relations. Low dissolved oxygen is a significant stressor leading to immunosuppression in fish. In this study, the effect of low dissolved oxygen (~ 1.5 ppm) on the pathogenesis of E. piscicida was explored in hybrid and channel catfish exposed via immersion . Infected fish displayed hemorrhages, ulcers, and hole in the head (Figure 1A) . Histology of tissues from infected fish had lesions consistent with bacterial septicemia in the kidney as well as multifocal inflammatory lesions in the gills (Figure 1B-C) . Significant mortality was observed in treatment with pathogen and low dissolved oxygen stress compared to fish exposed to stress or pathogen alone. Also, presence of a stress factor (prolonged hypoxia ) was found to augment E. piscicida-infection in fish exposed via immersion mimicking natural infections and thereby offering a reproducible laboratory challenge method . Studies on the stress-induced pathogenesis of E . piscicida will provide insights on the disease progression mechanisms and management efforts can be designate d in the right direction to mitigate the effects of this deadly disease.