''Cryptocaryon irritans'' is a species of

ciliate The ciliates are a group of alveolates characterized by the presence of hair-like organelles called cilia, which are identical in structure to eukaryotic flagella, but are in general shorter and present in much larger numbers, with a differen ...

s that parasitizes marine fish, causing marine white spot disease or marine ich (pronounced ''ick''). It is one of the most common causes of disease in marine aquaria.

Taxonomy

''Cryptocaryon irritans'' was originally classified as ''Ichthyophthirius marinus'', but it is not closely related to the other species. It belongs to the class

Prostomatea Prostomatea is a class of ciliates. It includes the genera ''Coleps ''Coleps'' is a genus of ciliates in the class Prostomatea with barrel-shaped bodies surrounded by regularly arranged plates composed of calcium carbonate. Description S ...

, but beyond that its placement is still uncertain.

Clinical

The symptoms and life-cycle are generally similar to those of '' Ichthyophthirius'' in freshwater fish, including white spots, on account of which ''Cryptocaryon'' is usually called marine ich. However, ''Cryptocaryon'' can spend a much longer time encysted. Fish that are infected with Cryptocaryon may have small white spots, nodules, or patches on their skin, fins, or gills. They may also have ragged fins, cloudy eyes, pale gills, increased mucus production, or changes in skin color, and they may appear thin. Behaviorally, fish may act different. They may scratch, swim abnormally, act lethargic, hang at the surface or on the bottom, or breathe more rapidly as if they are in distress. Useful treatments (but not safe for reef tanks or invertebrates) of ''Cryptocaryon irritans'' are

copper Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu (from la, cuprum) and atomic number 29. It is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. A freshly exposed surface of pure copper has a pinkis ...

solutions,

formalin Formaldehyde ( , ) ( systematic name methanal) is a naturally occurring organic compound with the formula and structure . The pure compound is a pungent, colourless gas that polymerises spontaneously into paraformaldehyde (refer to section F ...

solutions and

quinine Quinine is a medication used to treat malaria and babesiosis. This includes the treatment of malaria due to '' Plasmodium falciparum'' that is resistant to chloroquine when artesunate is not available. While sometimes used for nocturnal le ...

based drugs (such as

chloroquine Chloroquine is a medication primarily used to prevent and treat malaria in areas where malaria remains sensitive to its effects. Certain types of malaria, resistant strains, and complicated cases typically require different or additional medi ...

phosphate and

diphosphate). Infections can be extremely difficult to treat because of the presence of other creatures in the tank, such as corals and other invertebrates, which will not survive standard treatments. Ideally fish with ''Cryptocaryon'' are

quarantine A quarantine is a restriction on the movement of people, animals and goods which is intended to prevent the spread of disease or pests. It is often used in connection to disease and illness, preventing the movement of those who may have been ...

d in a hospital tank, where they can be treated with a copper salt or using hyposalinity, 1.009 specific gravity. The display tank needs to be kept clear of fish for 6–9 weeks, the longer the better. This gives time for the encysted tomonts to release infectious theronts, which die within 24–48 hours when they cannot find a

host A host is a person responsible for guests at an event or for providing hospitality during it. Host may also refer to: Places * Host, Pennsylvania, a village in Berks County People *Jim Host (born 1937), American businessman * Michel Host ...

References

External links

''Cryptocaryon''
Intramacronucleata Ciliate genera Fish diseases Veterinary protozoology {{fishkeeping-stub

Taxonomy

Clinical

See also

References

Further reading

External links