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White spot is probably the most common affliction seen by fish keepers, it is caused by a protozoan parasite called
Ichthyophthirius multifiliis other wise known as Ick, this disease is very contagious.
The parasites spend some of their life cycle embedded beneath the skin of the fish, where they feed from
the body tissue. The white cyst in which they are enclosed gives the characteristic white spots. Adults emerge
from these cysts and fall to the floor of the aquarium, where they multiply inside a protective capsule. When ready
the capsule bursts, releasing hundreds of free-swimming infectious parasites which attach themselves to
new hosts. White spot symptoms will include, fish body and fins will be covered in small white spots. The spots are uniform in size. The fish will glance off gravel and ornaments and breathe rapidly. There are many commercially available remedies, normally based on malachite green and formalin. Another treatment is to gradually add salt to the tank, up to a level of 6-8 tsp per gallon. Some fish are sensitive to salt like Cory's and clown loaches, so it would be wise to only use up to 3-4 tsp per gallon if you are treating salt sensitive fish. Because this disease is very contagious all fish in the aquarium should be treated at the same time. |
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