Common Diseases of Aquarium Fish
IAAAM Archive
John B. Gratzek, DVM, PhD
School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Abstract

This film will cover the majority of parasites which can affect aquarium fish including protozoans, sporozoans, external flukes and internal parasites.

Notes on Film

Ichthyophthirius - Trophozoite encysted in skin.

Chilodonella - goldfish and catfish. Has characteristic motility. Its presence is only serious when infestation is heavy. It is flattened dorsoventrally. Treat with formalin or malachite green.

Costia - flagellate. Causes a mass to appear on gills and fins. Fin rot can be bacterial or protozoal.

Tetrahymena - "guppy killer". often found in filters along with molds. It attacks debilitated guppies. Tetrahymena can swim up the ureters to the kidney.

Epistylis - some believe it is pathogenic, others that it is not.

Trichophora - rare in aquarium fish but common in catfish. Not known whether or not it is a disease agent.

Oodinium –gyne-spores will reinfect fish. Most aquariums have this parasite. Treat with a copper bath.

Hexamita - Not too pathogenic. Can be easily cleared up by treating with Flagyl at 11 ppm. in 3 doses.

Trichodina - Surface parasite which may be related to water quality. May not be pathogenic in itself but is a good monitor for bad water quality.

Flukes - Monogenetic - can spend entire life on the fish.

Polychaete - annelid. Common in marine fish.

Metacercaria - of digenetic trematode - completes life cycle when eaten by seabirds.

Plerocercoid - common. Has 4 suckers.

Nematodes -  in the gut aren't a problem except owners don't like them.

Acanthocephalan  - common in marine fish.

Speaker Information
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John B. Gratzek, DVM, PhD
University of Georgia


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