C. irritans
Parasitic
🟠 Severe
✓ Treatable
Marine Ich (Cryptocaryon)
🦠 Cryptocaryon irritans
📋 Overview
Cryptocaryon irritans is a parasitic ciliate that afflicts virtually every marine fish species. White dots appear on skin, fins, and gills; heavy infection kills quickly. Life cycle includes free-swimming theronts that infect fish, feeding trophonts on the fish, and encysted tomonts on substrate.
🩺 Clinical Signs
White spots on body/fins, flashing (scratching against objects), rapid gill movement, cloudy eyes, appetite loss, lethargy.
🛡️ Prevention
ℹ️ Prevention is the most effective strategy for managing this disease in aquaculture and aquarium settings.
Quarantine all new fish for 4-6 weeks. Maintain low stress. Never mix water/equipment between quarantine and display.