Page 14 - TBAS-January-2021

-14- TBAS January 2021 ....................

What About

Saltwater ICK?

Saltwater tropical fish
are not immune to

parasite infection
caused by a sudden
drop in temperature.
The most common

parasite is the
dinoflagellate Amyloodinium ocellatum. It acts very similarly to the
freshwater infestation, so most marine hobbyists call it white spot
or ICK. Saltwater ick attaches to the gills and skin of its host and
will impair respiratory functions and can suffocate the fish. The

fish will rub against the decorations and the bottom trying to get
the parasite off, and the breathing rate will increase as the fish tries
to get enough oxygen. In the wild, the number of parasites on a given
fish is usually low and does not kill the fish. However, in a closed

system, like an aquarium, the number of parasites can multiply
unchecked to the point of killing the fish in as little as twelve hours.
There are several different treatments that can be used on the
fish depending on the situation. A freshwater dip for 5 to 10 minutes
will bring quick relief to the infected fish, however, in large, heavily

decorated tanks, catching the fish may not be feasible. In fish only
tanks, copper treatments can be used. The drawback to copper is
that it is a slow-acting medication and it will bind with the coral or any

calcium-based material like crushed coral gravel. This makes it very
difficult to remove from the tank after the treatment is done. Formalin
medications can be used and are faster acting, but they reduce the
amount of oxygen in the water and the fish are already having a hard
enough time breathing.

The best medication that I have found to fight saltwater ick is a

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