Without warning, white spots may appear on tropical fishes. It is the most common disease that occurs among fishes.
Identification of White Spot Disease
- · White spots seen on fishes are caused by Ichthyophthirius multifilis, which gives the disease its popular name, ich.
- · The parasite causing white spots lives under the scale’s top layer and on the skin of the fish.
- · If treatment is set aside, these white spots can lead to fatal consequences for the fish.
What Causes White Spot On Tropical Fish
- An infected fish that is introduced to the water tank can contaminate the water and transfer the infection to other fishes.
- The mere act of overcrowding inside the tank will cause stress to the fishes, making them more prone to parasitic or bacterial infection.
- Another probable cause of white spots is the abrupt change in the pH levels of the water, as well as changes in temperature. Generally poor water conditions can lead to weaker immune system of the fishes.
Treatment of White Spots
- If there is an outbreak of white spot disease in the tank, treat the water with aquarium salts, which can kill the parasites and will not cause undue harm to the fish.
- Follow instructions carefully when adding these salts. Some types of fishes are not tolerant of salts.
- Another way of treating white spots is through malachite green, but is unfortunately toxic to humans.Extra care in doing the procedure is needed.
Related Reading:
Ich is a short term for the ciliated protozoan called Ichthyophthirius that is present in small numbers. Fishes can withstand ich but in stressful situations, the fish’s resistance to infection decreases, causing it to be afflicted with the disease.
Ich is a short term for the ciliated protozoan called Ichthyophthirius that is present in small numbers. Fishes can withstand ich but in stressful situations, the fish’s resistance to infection decreases, causing it to be afflicted with the disease.
Ich in Fish Tank
- Ich, or white spot disease, is more prevalent in aquarium fishes because of the close contact to the protozoa.
- Fish tanks that are large and used for breeding and collecting are more susceptible to ich.
- Most fishes develop immunity to ich but when subjected encounter highly stressful conditions like moving tanks, the fish’s resistance weakens.
- Apart from stress, other factors that can cause ich in fish tank are improper diet, water quality, temperature and transportation from one location to another.
Signs of Ich in Fish
- Fishes develop white spots on their gills and body that indicate infection from ich.
- Irritated behavior manifests among the fishes.
- Rubbing against the sides or bottom of the tank is an example of change in behavior.
- Complications arising from infection include breathing difficulty, severe agitation, loss of appetite and eventually leading to death.
Treating Ich in Fish
- Raise the temperature level of the water to 78-80 degrees Fahrenheit to facilitate tomite formation and kill the ich.
- It would take around 4 days for the tomites to eliminate the ich within this temperature.
- Remove the fishes from the tank while the cycle is underway. Wait 4 days more before returning them, to ensure that the ich has been cleared.
- Treatments like formalin and malachite green are also added in the water in some cases.