Ichthyophthirius (semolina) in aquarium fish

In the world of aquarium fish, Ichthyophthirius, also referred to as "Ich" or "white spot disease," is a bothersome and frequent condition. If this parasite is not treated right away, it can spread quickly and cause serious harm to your aquatic pets. Ich is easily identified in aquarium fish by the tiny white cysts that develop on the skin, gills, and fins of the affected fish. This can be a very upsetting sight.

The key to controlling and preventing Ich is having an understanding of how the disease grows and spreads. The parasite is easily introduced by new fish or equipment and thrives in unfavorable water conditions. Fish that are infected frequently exhibit discomfort, such as rubbing against objects or moving their gills quickly, which calls for quick intervention.

Addressing the symptoms and enhancing the general well-being of the aquarium environment are both essential components of effective treatment. You can contribute to the health and well-being of your fish and maintain the vibrancy and thriving of your aquatic setup by learning how to identify the early signs of Ich and putting appropriate treatment methods into practice.

Ichthyophthirius, sometimes referred to as "ick" or "semolina," is a parasitic infection that can cause white cysts on aquarium fish’s skin, gills, and fins. This bothersome parasite can cause serious health problems or even death if left unchecked. It grows best in stressful environments and spreads quickly. Maintaining a wholesome aquarium environment and protecting your fish’s health depend on your ability to identify its symptoms and apply efficient treatments.

Description of the disease

Ichthyophthirius, also referred to as white dots or semolina, is a prevalent fish disease that many aquarists deal with. The white tubercles that develop on a sick fish’s body are linked to the pathology’s name. These tubercles resemble semolina grains on the outside. Infusoria ichthyophthirius multifiliis is the causative agent responsible for the pathology. The body is oval in shape and has cilia all around it. It also has a mouth. The ciliate is able to move because of these cilia.

Since the ciliate reproduces by division, the pustule emerges from the infected fish’s epithelium as soon as the trophonts mature. After that, the pustule clings to plants or ornamental objects as it sinks to the bottom of the aquarium. Following this, a cyst forms in which the division process is triggered within the internal cavity.

How fish become infected

All fish, not just those in aquariums, are susceptible to ichthyophthirius illness. Despite the fact that the illness primarily affects fish overpopulations in aquariums or small reservoirs.

As experience demonstrates, the following are the most common ways that ciliates enter aquariums:

• during the purchase of new fish and settling them in the aquarium;
• when feeding aquarium inhabitants with live food;
• when placing water, driftwood or plants from an unverified reservoir in the aquarium.

Kindly take note! Every transplanted object needs to be pre-treated to prevent infections. It involves more than just plants and water—it also involves the soil.

Symptoms of ichthyophthirius

It is impossible to see parasites with the unaided eye because of their small size. However, during the developmental stage, the ciliate can be recognized by the appearance of tiny white dots on the body of the afflicted fish. The primary indicator of ichthyophthirius, which many aquarium fish owners use to diagnose their fish, are white tubercles. It is important to remember that the degree of infection affects how many dots increase.

Semolina also exhibits secondary symptoms that aid in pathology diagnosis. Among these, the most prevalent ones are:

• decreased appetite up to its complete loss;
• exhaustion of the infected organism (the activity of the fish is significantly reduced);
• breathing problems with damage to the gills ;
• the appearance of severe itching (the fish begin to rub intensively against foreign objects).

Be aware that the color of the dots that appear matters. It is possible that this is velvet disease rather than ichthyophthirius if they are not white, but rather golden or yellow.

Treatment methods

It’s critical to comprehend the disease’s characteristics prior to beginning treatment. The ciliate can, in fact, conceal itself in the uppermost layers of epithelial tissue. Only parasites that have made it into the outside world are susceptible to the drugs’ effects. It is not advised to increase the medication’s recommended dosage on your own since this could damage the fish and worsen their condition. However, it’s important to realize that there are alternative, equally effective forms of therapy available in addition to conventional drug treatment. Let’s examine each of them in isolation.

With salt

An ancient but efficient way to treat semolina is to raise the water temperature and add salt to the aquarium on a regular basis. The fundamental idea behind the approach is that the water’s temperature indicators directly affect how quickly parasites complete their life cycle. Furthermore, ciliates cannot tolerate water with a high salinity level.

Yet there are problems with this approach. First of all, warm water does not pose a problem for the tropical variety of ichthyophthirius. Furthermore, some parasites are extremely happy, but it’s unclear if all the fish will be able to withstand the rise in salinity in the water.

Changing the water in the aquarium

When discussing conventional strategies for overcoming ichthyophthirius, it is impossible to overlook the aquarium cleaning technique. This can be accomplished by moving the afflicted residents to another container—one that is sealed off from the air—and adding a thick layer of salt to the bottom. After emerging from the fish’s body, mature parasites will glide to the bottom of the container, where a salt trap is waiting for them. In this instance, it’s critical to routinely replace the water in the new container in order to get rid of all the parasites and prevent the fish from being harmed by the salt.

Changing the water may not always be an effective strategy, particularly when dealing with a tropical species. Therefore, you must turn to drug treatment if these manipulations are ineffective. Below is a description of this in further detail.

Medicines

Veterinarian pharmacies carry a vast array of medications for fish semolina, but not all of them are particularly effective in treating the condition. As a result, it’s crucial to read the manufacturer’s instructions and consider every feature. When using any medication for the first time, it’s best to start with a low dosage. Verifying that the fish are not susceptible to any of the drug’s ingredients is essential. After about 12 hours, if the fish tolerates the medication well, the remaining portion can be added.

Fish ichthyophthirius medication table.

While the illness itself is not lethal, ichthyophthirius-related complications can have grave repercussions. Aquarium fish are most commonly affected by the disease, which is why deaths frequently result from it.

Human drugs

Many use human drugs in addition to specialized products to treat fish semolina. Initially, we are discussing a medication known as Delagil. In addition to being inexpensive, the product is readily available and can be bought from regular pharmacies. When fish that are infected and highly susceptible to conventional methods are used, deaGil deeds are advised. Research indicates that Delagil has no negative effects on fish. Apply one tablet of the medication for every thirty liters of water.

Increased safety for the ecosystem as well as for infected fish is a hallmark of deligil treatment. But in order for treatment to be effective, it needs to start as soon as the illness first manifests. Later on, Delagil won’t produce the intended outcome. In this situation, stronger medications will be needed.

Another medication that is actively used to treat semarium fish decoration is furatsilin. Additionally, the instrument actively combats the parasite without endangering the biosystem. One tablet for every thirty liters of water is the exact same dosage as in the case of Delagil. It’s advised to add medication and change the aquarium’s water every day to get the desired outcome. Until full recovery, the procedure should be performed for two days.

For aquarium enthusiasts, Ichthyophthirius, also referred to as "Ich" or "white spot disease," can be a difficult condition to manage. If this parasite is not treated right away, it can spread quickly and cause fish to have noticeable white spots. For the sake of your aquatic friends’ health and to avoid severe outbreaks, it is imperative that you recognize the symptoms and take quick action.

To effectively treat the parasite, specific medications must be used along with tank conditions adjustments. Ich prevention and management also heavily depend on keeping your fish’s tank clean and giving them a stress-free environment. Frequent testing of the water and close observation of your fish’s behavior will help you identify any problems early on.

Through proactive measures and constant vigilance, you can safeguard your aquarium against Ichthyophthirius’s harmful effects. To keep your fish healthy and happy, keep in mind that your best allies are a well-maintained tank and prompt intervention.

Video on the topic

🇷🇺 (🇬🇧) Workshop on ichthyopathology. Video 5. Ichthyophthirius, semolina. Treatment. Ekaterina_Ots

Semolina. Ichthyophthirius in aquarium fish. Medicine for ichthyophthirius.

ICHTHYOPHTIRIOSIS OR SEMOKA . SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT.