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With Cryptocaryon irritans the tomite is the swimming infective stage of the life cycle. They are small ciliated protozoans, and their life's function is to find a host fish within a day or two, or die trying. After they attach to the gill or body of a host fish, they develop into the second stage, the parasitic trophont. During this stage they burrow into the host, feeding on the host's tissues, which can cause extensive damage. Once well fed the trophont stops feeding and develops a cysts covering. This becomes the inactive tomont stage and during this final stage the cyst may stay trapped in the mucus of the fish, or fall off and sit on the bottom of the aquarium. Within 6 to 10 days hundreds of new tomites emerge, seek another host, and the cycle begins all over again. The only time this parasite is vulnerable to being destroyed is during their free swimming tomite stage, after they have been spawned from the cyst. (Reference: The Marine Aquarium Handbook - Beginner to Breeder, by Martin A. Moe, Jr.)
Cryptocaryon Symptoms
Symptoms to look for are the white spots, scratching
or rubbing on rocks or other surfaces, loss of appetite, rapid breathing,
and fading colors. Cryptocaryon is usually first seen on the body and fins
of the fish, progressing into the gills as the disease advances.
They appear as white spots about the size of a pinhead or grain of salt.
There may be only one, or dozens, depending on the extent of the infestation.
The fish do not have the dusted or whitish film coated appearance that
is characteristic of a severe case of Oodinium (Velvet). Rapid gilling
begins as the tomites become more numerous and move into the gill area,
clogging the gills with tomonts, mucus, and tissue debris.
Loss of color occurs in patches or blotches as the parasites erode and
destroy the fishes pigment cells. Secondary bacterial infections, from
access through the lesions caused by the attached parasites, are associated
with Cryptocaryon.
Cryptocaryon Treatments (Fish-Only & Reef System Methods)
Copper sulfate
in a fish-only tank or QT is one of the most effective treatments
for Cryptocaryon. Greenex by Aquatronics is a combination
of malachite green and quinine hydrochloride, and has given us excellent
results in a couple of days. We generally treat for a five to six day period, following the product dosage instructions. Greenex is invert (meaning crustacean) safe and does not weaken or kill your biological filter base. When we have used Greenex in our invert tank, with some live rock in it, it does not seem to harm the live rock. However, we have had reports from some people that malachite green may harm certain corals, so it may not be completely reef safe. If you decide to treat your main tank,
the down side of Greenex is that it will turn any silicone, air tubes or
anything that it touches blue, except the fish. Once again, using a QT is a good idea. It is suggested to remove any delicate inverts or corals from the tank and place them in a separate aquarium.
Another product that is specifically for treating White Spot Disease (Cryptocaryon) is Chem Marin Stop-Parasite™. There are many other brand name products available on the market. When purchasing an Ich medication, be sure to read the product information carefully, and 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 infections that can be associated with Cryptocaryon, using an additional anti-bacterial medication helps to treat these problems. Nitro-Furzone based products work well. However, most anti-bacterial medications attack both gram positive and gram negative bacteria's. They will kill or weaken your biological filter base, so 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 or Hagen Cycle, after treatment is complete, will help restore your biological filter base quickly.
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