![]() Only in the trophont-stage will you notice visible symptoms, as it’s impossible to see the parasites free-swimming in the pond without a microscope and water sample.ĭue to their lifecycle duration being heavily reliant on water temperature, we can use this to our advantage when treating the parasite. The parasite goes through several stages in its life-cycle:ġ) A free-swimming parasite stage seeking a host (tomite), 2) Encysted stage within skin of host (trophont), 3) Reproductive dividing stage after falling off skin of host (theront), 4) Free-swimming parasite stage seeking new hosts again (tomite).ĭepending on water conditions, particularly water temperature, this life cycle can be completed in as quick as 3 days, or as long as 8 weeks. The white spots which appear with ich are actually the parasites themselves, having surrounded themselves in a cyst-like shell to feed on bodily fluids in the skin. Strauch, Azizullah Azizullah and Donat-P. What are the white spots that appear with Ich? Diagram showing the basic life cycle of the ich parasite, including host stage, reproductive stage, and infectious stage. Bacterial or viral infections (i.e., ulcers).Small white spots which resemble grains of sand.A list of symptoms can include the following – Koi Ich Symptoms: These include a loss of appetite, swimming alone, hiding under shelters, and also rubbing against pond objects as they try to scratch off the parasites. Because of this, all cases of ich, however small, should be treated immediately to reduce the risk of fish death in later stages.Īlthough the small white specks are the tell-tale sign of ich parasites, koi may also present behavioural symptoms, as well. If left to spread uncontrolled, large amounts of cysts begin to cover the gill tissue, greatly reducing oxygen transfer to the blood and increasing the risk of infection. In-fact, the mortality rate of ich in most species of fish can be associated with respiratory problems that arise from damage to the tissue of the gills. The spots can also appear along the fins, tail, and even without the gills – which can be particularly dangerous as it can interfere with oxygen absorption. The little spots can appear anywhere on your koi, but are more common on the bodily scales as this is the easiest place for the parasite to anchor. In the early stages these can be hard to find, but as the disease spreads more and more spots will appear and give the appearance of grains of white sand. In most cases of ich, the first symptoms you will notice are small white spots on the body of your fish. A single parasite is not much of a concern, but as with all parasites, they’re highly contagious and can reproduce at an alarming rate under the right conditions. Public domain.Įven if your fish has been infected by an ich parasite, you may not notice until the disease begins to spread and further symptoms present. The spots are very small and can resemble grains of white sand. What Does Koi Ich Look Like? Is it Dangerous? The ich parasite presents as white hard spots on the scales, fins, and tail of fish. The main problem with ich is the possibility of further bacterial and viral infections occurring in lesions, which is why it’s important to control at first signs of the disease. Parasites can also become a problem in poor water conditions, after an injury, or if koi are malnourished – all which lead to stress and a weaker immune system.Įven though ich can be very dangerous if left untreated, the disease itself is fairly easy to remedy, especially if caught in the early stages. Just like many other diseases and infections, koi become the more susceptible to contraction during periods of stress or lower immune activity.įor example, one of the most common times for parasites to infect fish is during their winter hibernation period, as their bodily functions have slowed to a crawl, along with their immune system for fighting back pathogens. The parasite can be found in many ponds in small quantities, and usually does not present any problems if koi are healthy and water conditions are good. ![]() The appearance of these white specks across the skin of the fish is also why the disease is sometimes called “white spot disease”. At its core, the disease itself is caused by a parasite which latches on to the skin of fish, known scientifically as Ichthyophthirius Multifiliis hence the shortened name “ich”. Ich presents as small white spots on the scales, fins, or gills of fish which can grow to resemble the appearance of grains of salt all over the body. Ich is a very common problem for many species of fresh water fish, with both koi and goldfish being no exception. Source: El-Cezerî Journal of Science and Engineering. The parasite Ichthyophthirius Multifiliis the cause of “Ich” disease in Koi.
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