Ich (white spot disease)
The most common disease of aquarium fish. Caused by a parasitic protozoan that manifests itself as white dots on the body and fins.
Detailed explanation
Ichthyosis is caused by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (in freshwater aquariums) or Cryptocaryon irritans (in marine aquariums). It is the most widespread parasite and the first disease that every aquarist encounters.
The symptoms are unmistakable: small white dots (like grains of salt) scattered on the body, fins and gills. The fish scratch themselves against rocks (flashing), breathe rapidly and lose their appetite.
The life cycle of the parasite has three phases: trophont (attached to the fish), tomonte (cyst on the bottom), teront (free phase). The drugs kill only the free phase.
In freshwater aquariums the classic treatment involves increasing the temperature to 30 degrees combined with salt (3 g/l) or drugs based on malachite green and formalin. Treatment must last at least 10-14 days.
In marine aquariums therapeutic copper (0.5 ppm for 30 days in quarantine aquariums) is the standard.
The best prevention is to quarantine any new fish. The UV sterilizer reduces transmission by killing parasites in the free phase.
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