Haematopoietic necrosis virus [cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV‐2)] was isolated during disease outbreaks in goldfish, Carassius auratus , at an ornamental fish retail site in southern England in 2004. Signs of disease included lethargy and inappetence and were first seen after water temperatures increased from 14–15 to 19–21 °C. External gross pathology included pale patches on the gills and skin and internally the spleen was enl...