Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

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