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Amyloodinium ocellatum is a Dinoflagellate, defined as "any one-celled aquatic living thing of the order Dinoflagellida". Dinoglagellates are considered by zoologists to be protozoa, and an algae (Division Dinoflagellata) by botanists. This marine one celled alga is a member of the same group of organisms that cause "Red Tides" in marine waters. Amyloodinium ocellatum does not cause red tides, but it is parasitic to marine fish during one stage of its life cycle.
The life cycle of this organism begins with the release from a mature cyst of 250 or more extremely small, free swimming cells called dinaspores. These cysts can be hidden in the mucus of a host fish, or have fallen off laying on the bottom of the aquarium. Once the cyst hatches, the dinospores are on their way to find a host to supply them with the nutrition they need to further develop. They cannot live long without a host, and some strains may not survive 48 hours, but others may survive as long as a month. After the parasite attaches itself to a host, it sends out filaments into soft tissues of its host for feeding. Because the gills of fish are one of the softest tissue areas of the body, this site is the most frequent spot of infestation for Oodinium. After several days of feeding, the parasite withdraws its feeding filaments, forms a cyst covering, and develops into the final dynospores stage to be released to start the cycle all over again. Oodinium can complete its life cycle in 6-12 days. The only time this parasite is vulnerable to being destroyed is during their free swimming dinospore stage, after they have been spawned from the cyst. (Reference: The Marine Aquarium Handbook - Beginner to Breeder, by Martin A. Moe, Jr.)
Oodinium Symptoms
Infestation typically begins in the gills. Damage to the delicate gill tissue stimulates the production of excess mucus in the gills, reducing their efficiency. The outward sign of this is rapid gilling. Other signs are listlessness, lack of activity, loss of appetite, fading colors, and scratching or rubbing on rocks or other surfaces. During the beginning dinospore stage, the fish become quickly covered with the parasites giving the fish the appearance of a whitish velvet coating on them. As the disease progresses the cysts' stage of the parasite can be seen on the fin membranes and body surfaces as that of the same size and color as table salt. These are best viewed by looking lengthwise, down the fish with a flashlight at night. Because Oodinium typically begins in the gills, by the time you start seeing the white spots on the outside of the fish, the disease has already progressed substantially and rapid treatment is essential or the fish will surely die in a very few days. In the advanced stages, sometimes it may be too late save the fish. Most times Oodinium is also related to secondary bacterial or fungal infections.
Oodinium Treatments (Fish-Only & Reef System Methods)
Copper sulfate
in a fish-only tank or QT is one of the most effective treatments for Oodinium.
We have used Marex from Aquatronics and found it to be an effective medication for fish-only tanks with positive results in 2 or 3 days, with complete treatment in a one week period. Marex, and many other medications, are gram positive/gram negative (meaning it kills both good and bad kinds of bacteria) and will weaken or kill the biological filter. It is not wise to treat your main aquarium. If you do, a suggested boost in your nitrosoma population (biological base) with a dose of bacteria, such as Hiatt Distributors Limited Right Now! Bacteria or Hagen Cycle after treatment is complete will help restore your biological filter base.
Other medications specifically for treating Oodinium are Fish-Vet™ Revive (which also treats many forms of gill flukes and gram negative bacteria), and Sano Aqua Remedies. These products are said to be REEF SAFE. When purchasing an Ich medication, be sure to read the product information carefully to make sure that it is specifically designed to target the disease you want to treat. Many medication treatments are designed to treat one type of ich, but do not treat the other.
For secondary bacterial or fungal infections associated with Oodinium, using an additional anti-bacterial medication helps to treat these problems. We have always used Nitro-Furzone based products. Most anti-bacterial medications attack both gram positive and gram negative bacteria's. Therefore, they will kill or weaken your biological filter base. Treat with these types of medications in a QT. If you have to treat your main tank, a suggested boost in your nitrosoma population (biological base) with a dose of bacteria, such as Hiatt Distributors Limited Right Now! Bacteria after treatment is complete, will help restore your biological filter base quickly.
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Cryptocaryon (White Spot Disease), Symptoms and Treatments
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