Fish Disease Diagnosis
Fish Disease Treatments
Ponds, Aquaria & Filtration



Extremely irritating

It is not uncommon to find small populations of the parasite Trichodina on fish. At low levels they don't pose a threat to fish health. Unlike many parasites  it doesn't actually feed on fish; these parasites only use the fish host as a home and means of transport! However, in large numbers they are extremely irritating and it is likely that some tissue damage will result from the sucking disc that trichodinids use for attachment. Healthy fish can control the numbers of parasites. Severe trichodinid infestations are usually associated with overcrowding and poor water quality. Under such conditions these parasites can rapidly multiply.

Trichodina

click on pictures to enlarge them

Trichodina : Fish & koi parasite

This shows the outer rim of cilia and the central sucking disc with its hook-like denticles

Trichodinids. Fish & koi parasite - in skin scrape

Trichodinids in a wet mount (mucus) at low magnification

Trichodinids: Fish & koi parasite. Shown on edge of koi gill filament

Trichodina on the edge of a gill filament. Note the density, with some sitting on top of others.

photos: Frank Prince-Iles

Identification

They are easy to recognize in a wet mount. They always remind me of flying saucers, hovering and skimming over the surface of the gill or skin. They are top-hat shaped when viewed from the side. When viewed from the top it is possible to see an outer ring of cilia and the concentric rings and hook-like denticles of the sucking disc. (See the top photo)  Gill trichodinids are smaller than their skin-dwelling cousins, usually less than 30 mm. They also tend to move faster than skin trichodinids. Those found on the skin are usually > 50 mm. 

The fish react to Trichodina in much the same way as any other parasite by rubbing and flashing. There may be focal areas of reddening. At a later stage the fish will be lethargic, they may isolate themselves, stop feeding and lay on the bottom with clamped fins.

While they are not as immediately life-threatening as most parasites, heavy infestations do cause considerable stress to the fish and it is not uncommon for other ectoparasites and bacteria to take advantage leading to secondary infections.

Treatments

My own experience is that this parasite can be tricky to treat. Sometimes it responds to proprietary parasite treatments and other times they have little or no effect. The same applies to malachite green and formalin. The most effective treatment against Trichodina seems to be potassium permanganate which seems to work virtually every time. Usually only one treatment is needed to.

Salt baths can be useful if only dealing with just one or two fish.

Long term salt baths in situ are also effective in many instances.

"Koi Health & Disease" by Dr. Erik Johnson DVM is 200+ pages from Fish Health Practice - Readable by Beginners and delivered overnight from Amazon.com

Fish disease problems? Need some help? The help pages take you through the basics of the 'fish health work-up' diagnosis method and basic fish disease treatment methods.

90% of all health problems and fish deaths are caused by poor fish keeping! The key pages are essential reading for all beginners and intermediates who are serious about disease prevention.

module_subrightnav

Module Subart1

MOdule Subart2

What if you could just get "Here's what to treat with." and no advice or education?

VISIT:  h t t p s : / / f i s h t r e a t m e n t s . c o m

Expanded Content by Dr. Erik Johnson, DrJohnson.com and Used with Permission; Frank Prince-Iles ©2009 All Rights Reserved