Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Presentation by: Lauren Hannan and Chloe Jensen
Kingdom: ProtistaPhylum: Ciliophora Class: Oligohymenophorea Order: Hymenostomatida Family: Ichthyophthiriidae Genus: Icthyophthirius Species: multifillis
MorphologyAdults are as large in diameter as 1 mmMacronucleus is a large, horseshoe-shaped
body that encircles the tiny micronucleus3 life stages:
Feeding stage: trophont/trophozoite Reproductive stage: tomonts/tomites Infective stage:
trophozoites/tomites/theronts/swarmers
Geographic Distribution:It is wide spread in all freshwater fish but appears to be more common in aquarium fish, possibly due to the closer contact and stress involved with aquarium species.
Definitive Hosts:All freshwater fish
Intermediate Hosts:None
Life Cycle Feeding stage: trophont/trophozoite
Attached to the epithelial cells and absorbs nutrients from the fish
Reproductive stage: tomonts/tomites Quickly attaches to a substrate and encysts Spends all of its energy rapidly multiplying
Infective stage: trophozoites/tomites/theronts/swarmers Tomites have burst from cyst Sprout cilia and immediate start looking for a host
Typically only have a few days to find a host or they perish
Sites of InfectionSkinEyesGills
PathogenosisGreyish/white pustules
Round or oval in shape Roughly the size of a grain of salt
Epidermal cells produce mucous for protection
Death if not treated
Behavioral Signs Wasting Hiding abnormally Rubbing against items On skin:
White pustules
On eyes: Cloudy/milky
On gills Breathing at surface Rapid breathing White pustules
DiagnosesObservation of fishStudy of pustules/parasite under microscope
TreatmentIn aquarium fish:
Very dilute concentrations Formaldehyde Malachite greenMethylene blue
Commercial preparations
ControlFood with malachite greenPurchase healthy fishClean tank Isolate sick fish