Saltwater Ich (Cryptocaryon) Life Cycle

Saltwater Ich (Cryptocaryon) Life Cycle

Cryptocaryon Biological Cycle

Graphic by Stan Hauter

• 1. Tomont Stage
• Trophonts which have burrowed into the gills & formed cysts, protected by gill mucus.
• Trophonts can live in the cyst embedded in the gills almost indefinitely.
• No effective treatment at this stage.
• 2.
Trophont Stage
• Tomont cysts have been discharged from the gills.
• Can survive for 6 to 10 days in the cyst.
• Hyposalinity (Osmotic Shock) and some chemical treatments are effective in exploding the cyst and Tomites.
• 3. Tomite Stage
• Parasites (Tomites) discharged from the Tomont cyst and become free swimming.
• Tomites can survive for 1-2 days before they must find another host.
• Hyposalinity (Osmotic Shock) treatment effective in exploding the Tomites.
• Many chemical treatments effective at this stage.
• 4. Trophont Stage
• Tomites which attached to the fish's gills feed from the host, grow, form a cyst and become dormant.
• Tomites which attach to the fish's surface feed from the host, grow, detach from the fish and go to the Trophont Stage 2.
• Hyposalinity (Osmotic Shock) treatment effective in exploding the surface cysts.
• Some chemicals effective in treatment of surface cysts at this stage.

• Saltwater Ich (Cryptocaryon) Life Cycle
• Saltwater Ich (Cryptocaryon) Life Cycle