What is Trichodina?
Trichodina is a parasite which affects the gills and skin of your fish. This parasite is described as saucer shaped with an abundance of cilia. Hair like structures which enable the parasite to move and attach to the host. This strain of parasite is more formally known as a ciliate alveolate, due to its hair like structures.
Trichodina is, due to its shape and structure a ciliate alveolate.
Trichodina reproduces through binary fission, this parasite reproduces asexually by division and this process if not controlled and treated can cause serious irritation to your fish. Trichodina can also reproduce by conjugation, however the primary reproduction is achieved through division.
Trichodina can cause skin and gill damage during an infestation. The gill damage can cause the fishes respiration to become distressed and can reduce the oxygen intake for your livestock which holds more concerns, such as death.
Trichodina is spread through direct contact and will spread throughout your pond.
Identifying and diagnosing Trichodina!
In order to formally diagnose an outbreak of Trichodina a mucous scrape is required as the parasite is microscopic and not visible to the human eye. The pond medic will then analyse this scrape under the microscope to gain the accurate identification.
However, there are many symptoms that can show discomfort from Trichodina:
These are warning signs that should be addressed as soon as they are noticed so that the pond medic can begin to assess and treat the issues as soon as possible to help to aid a fast rehabilitation for the health of your livestock.
Do not delay call the pond medic today. Tel: 07737 674417
Causes
Although Trichodina can lie dormant within your pond, they tend not to cause any harm or discomfort to your fish. However, there are a few conditions which can set a Trichodina infestation in motion:
Although these causes may seem minimal the impact of an infestation from Trichodina can have catastrophic effects on the livelihood of your pond.
How contagious is Trichodina?
Extremely Contagious.
Trichodina is incredibly contagious and is transferable from fish to fish through touch.
Treatment
With the high reproduction rate of Trichodina. A regimented treatment plan with multiple treatments will be required. The pond medic will devise a plan that is tailored to your pond and your livestock and will begin the implementation of the plan. A return visit may be required to ensure that the infestation has been controlled and eliminated. This will ensure that your fish are returning to full health and that the parasites are no longer threatening to compromise them.
Prevention
In order to best prevent further flare-ups of Trichodina, ensuring the fish in your pond have a naturally boosted immune system which is working to its fullest capacity is crucial. We can aid this by:
