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Fresh and Saltwater Ich

© Winston Vaughan Schoenfeld

As discussed in the last article, I will be providing information about several of the common diseases that tend to cause problems in fresh, saltwater, and reef aquariums. You should find a description of the disease, its symptoms, and how you can treat it. This particular article will deal with the parasite which causes what is commonly known as "ich".

Many wonder where the name "ich" came from. Well, as it turns out, the parasites which cause ich in fresh and saltwater aquariums are very similar. The particular freshwater species is known as Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, hence the word ich. Freshwater ich is commonly known as "white spot disease." This comes from the fact that the disease is generally identified by an aquarist by little white "spots" which are attached to the body of a fish. The danger of this disease is its ability to reproduce rather quickly within an aquarium. Small dinospores in the water attack a host fish and attach themselves to its exterior or gills. These dinospores quickly become small white cysts, or trophonts, and begin to rob the fish of nutrients. Soon these cycsts transform into tomonts, which are another type of cyst. It is these cysts that give the appearance of white spots on the fish's exterior. Soon these tromonts release a large number of new dinospores into the water, and the cycle begins again.

Symptoms of this desease are generally seen in the presence of white spots, and rapid breathing. The white spots will appear as small specks about the size of a grain of sugar. It is also common to see fish rub themselves and their sides of their bodies on rocks or the bottom of the aquarium. This is done in an effort to remove the cysts from their body. The rate at which this disease can cause a fish to die is between a few days (ex. 3) and about 2 weeks. This depends on many factors, such as the fish density in the aquarium, etc... The main concern is to begin treating the infected fish as soon as the disease is detected. Treatment is generally done using a solution of malachite green. Keep in mind that this disease can easily affect all the fish in the aquarium, and as a result, the entire aquarium and all fish should be treated.

Saltwater ick is caused by a parasite known as Amyloodinium ocellatum. This parasite is very similar to its freshwater cousin. Symptoms are relatively the same as for freshwater. Such things as rapid breathing and the appearance of white spots on the exterior of the fish may be signs of this infection. Treatments for saltwater ich are much more numerous. It can be treated by the use of chemical sources such as cupric sulfate, malachite green, hydrogen peroxide, and quinacrine. In addition, freshwater baths have also been shown to cause removal of parasitic cysts.

The copyright of the article Fresh and Saltwater Ich in Aquariums is owned by Winston Vaughan Schoenfeld. Permission to republish Fresh and Saltwater Ich in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.