Trichodina
Image from Brunel Microscopes
Trichodina is probably one of the more familiar single celled protozoan parasites known to the Koi keeper. Sometimes referred to as the wheel of spikes, crown of thorns or Catherine wheel.
Trichodina is not a true parasite because it seldom feeds on the cells of the fish. It does however cause severe damage to the tissue of the fish as it spins around in the mucus layer looking for food, i.e bacteria, dead skin cells and other organic matter that may be there.
It is said by some notable professionals that a trigger factor for large numbers of this parasite is, and I use their words, 'filthy filters'. It is common to environmental disorders within the pond; these must be addressed before any medication is used to eradicate the problem. The reason being that to use medication in a poor water quality situation will most probably make the water quality even worse and subsequently lead to fish losses.
This parasite is saucer shaped, has a distinctive ring of tiny hairs (cilla) around its body, these allow it to rotate rapidly, and an inner circle of calcified teeth, which resemble hooks. As it constantly rotates in its search for food it is the teeth that damage the fishes skin leaving it susceptible to secondary infection. If present in the gills it will cause severe damage to the delicate lamella and an infestation is often fatal, Bacterial Gill Disease is often the contributory factor.
You will probably find three or four Trichodnids on a fish and they will live harmoniously together. It is when you find upwards of thirty on a side when taking a mucus scrape that intervention is required, medication is not always the answer. This parasite is spread through contact, which occurs when fish are feeding or even spawning. Over stocking can also be a factor.
Trichodina is approximately 1mm in diameter; therefore it has to be viewed through a microscope via a mucus scrape for correct identification. This way you get to use the right medication for the problem, thus avoiding making your pond a cocktail of chemicals.
A favourite position for Trichodina is at the base of the fins were it is difficult for the fish to dislodge them, but it has a preference for the gills. Extreme care must be taken if you take a scrape from the underside of the gill plate; this is best done when the fish is anaesthetised.
Symptoms are flashing and flicking vigorously and when present in large numbers cause immense irritation to the Koi and certainly will cause an increase in mucus secretion, leading to the condition familiarly known as "grey slime disease", this often appears as a blue/grey haze on the head of the fish. In a serious infection the fish may become lethargic and show signs of respiratory distress. If the condition is neglected the mucus producing cells of the Koi will become exhausted and cease to provide the fish with this very important barrier, leaving the body surface dry and open to opportunist fungi or bacteria.
The life cycle of Trichodina is very simple. Given the right circumstances it is typical of its type (protozoa) it reproduces by Binary Fission, simply dividing into daughter cells.
Constant improvements in medication are made to eradicate this parasite, please contact us for treatments and correct use of dosage for your pond and Koi.
Trichodina is not a true parasite because it seldom feeds on the cells of the fish. It does however cause severe damage to the tissue of the fish as it spins around in the mucus layer looking for food, i.e bacteria, dead skin cells and other organic matter that may be there.
It is said by some notable professionals that a trigger factor for large numbers of this parasite is, and I use their words, 'filthy filters'. It is common to environmental disorders within the pond; these must be addressed before any medication is used to eradicate the problem. The reason being that to use medication in a poor water quality situation will most probably make the water quality even worse and subsequently lead to fish losses.
This parasite is saucer shaped, has a distinctive ring of tiny hairs (cilla) around its body, these allow it to rotate rapidly, and an inner circle of calcified teeth, which resemble hooks. As it constantly rotates in its search for food it is the teeth that damage the fishes skin leaving it susceptible to secondary infection. If present in the gills it will cause severe damage to the delicate lamella and an infestation is often fatal, Bacterial Gill Disease is often the contributory factor.
You will probably find three or four Trichodnids on a fish and they will live harmoniously together. It is when you find upwards of thirty on a side when taking a mucus scrape that intervention is required, medication is not always the answer. This parasite is spread through contact, which occurs when fish are feeding or even spawning. Over stocking can also be a factor.
Trichodina is approximately 1mm in diameter; therefore it has to be viewed through a microscope via a mucus scrape for correct identification. This way you get to use the right medication for the problem, thus avoiding making your pond a cocktail of chemicals.
A favourite position for Trichodina is at the base of the fins were it is difficult for the fish to dislodge them, but it has a preference for the gills. Extreme care must be taken if you take a scrape from the underside of the gill plate; this is best done when the fish is anaesthetised.
Symptoms are flashing and flicking vigorously and when present in large numbers cause immense irritation to the Koi and certainly will cause an increase in mucus secretion, leading to the condition familiarly known as "grey slime disease", this often appears as a blue/grey haze on the head of the fish. In a serious infection the fish may become lethargic and show signs of respiratory distress. If the condition is neglected the mucus producing cells of the Koi will become exhausted and cease to provide the fish with this very important barrier, leaving the body surface dry and open to opportunist fungi or bacteria.
The life cycle of Trichodina is very simple. Given the right circumstances it is typical of its type (protozoa) it reproduces by Binary Fission, simply dividing into daughter cells.
Constant improvements in medication are made to eradicate this parasite, please contact us for treatments and correct use of dosage for your pond and Koi.