DISEASE | AGENT | TYPE | SYNDROME | MEASURES |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nematode infestation | Capillaria sp. | Parasitic nematode | Emaciated, although shows good appetite in early stage, then weakens, becomes listless, loses appetite & colour pattern darkens; fin & tail rot and skin patches/sores; faeces white & stringy/slimy; scrapes belly against bottom or may start to tremble; larval stage of parasite located in muscle tissue & can be seen through skin, appearing either coiled up or rod-like | Administer trichlorfon (with caution for small fish); niclosamide, levamisole or mebendazole mixed in feed |
Anchor worm disease | Lernaea cyprinacea | Parasitic copepod | Parasite visible on skin, head embedded deep in the tissues of the host; haemorrhages and open wounds at site of infection; weight loss; respiratory difficulties; sluggishness; red areas; ulcers; scale loss; fin damage; scraping and sometimes hanging vertically or belly up; parasite length 5 to 22 mm | KMnO4 bath or 0.8-1.1 per cent NaCl (KMnO4 may be lethal to small fish at dosages required to kill Lernaea) |
Trichodinosis | Trichodina sp. | Protozoan parasite | Slime covers skin like fog, fins clamped and denuded of tissue | 250 ml/litre formalin bath for 15 min |
Scolex infestation | Scolex pleuronectis | Helminth parasite | Infestation occurs commonly in the intestine | None stated |
Cryptobia Infestation | Cryptobia sp. | Protozoan parasite | Dark coloration; increased mucus build-up; occasional appearance of skin lesions followed by scale loss; difficult or rapid breathing; reduced appetite and weight loss; secondary bacterial infections in advanced stage leading to pale and/or red skin patches and skin & fin rot | Treat with formaldehyde (250 ml/litre) or 10mg/litre malachite green; place infected fish in freshwater bath or treat with effective antibacterial agents |
Caligus infestation | Caligus longipedis | Parasitic copepod | Loss of appetite; lethargic swimming; excess mucus production; lumpy body surface | Dip infected fish in freshwater (makes transparent parasite visible); bathe in 150 ppm H2 02 for 30 minutes |