brewmaster15
04-05-2002, 09:13 AM
Hexamitiasis
by Al Sabetta * 2/2002
Hexamitiasis is an internal *protozoan infection that can afflict most species of fish. *It is caused by *free swimming protozoan organism known as *Hexamita (Formerly known as Octomitis). *This parasite is described as clear, size is *approximately 10 micron, *possesses 8 flagella for locomotion, and can be seen *under a microscope@ 200-400X power. Post mortem identification is made *by *making a squash prep of the intestinal lining , but it is also possible to detect in the feces, and in the shed mucosal lining.
Most fish can harbor this pathogen in small numbers in their intestinal tracts and show no symptoms what so ever, but there are certain species of fish that are prone to serious illness when infected. Among this group are *Discus , Angels, Oscars, and *African Cichlids in general. *Fish harboring this pathogen in low levels can have it become a serious infection if subjected to stressful conditions such as *overcrowding, poor water quality, poor nutrition, bullying by other fish, *weakened immune system *from other infections. Under these conditions the affected fishes immune system can not adequately control the parasite and it reproduces rapidly causing the acute disease…...HEXAMITIASIS. *Fondly known as HEX. *
* *
Symptoms include the following…
The first indication is a slimy whitish *feces. This feces has components of the mucous lining of the intestine in it. Fish exhibiting this symptom *will still be eating normally at the early stages of the disease As the disease progresses. The fish will often exhibit non typical behaviors such as hiding in the corner, head down. The *fish may stop eating, and *become emaciated. *Laterally compressed fish like discus often show this emaciation in the head region. *The bodies and eyes of the fish often darken. The fish may swim backwards, or swim listlessly.
Disease Transmission is by contaminated fecal matter. *Cleanliness of the tank *can be a major factor in the *transmission of the disease.
by Al Sabetta * 2/2002
Hexamitiasis is an internal *protozoan infection that can afflict most species of fish. *It is caused by *free swimming protozoan organism known as *Hexamita (Formerly known as Octomitis). *This parasite is described as clear, size is *approximately 10 micron, *possesses 8 flagella for locomotion, and can be seen *under a microscope@ 200-400X power. Post mortem identification is made *by *making a squash prep of the intestinal lining , but it is also possible to detect in the feces, and in the shed mucosal lining.
Most fish can harbor this pathogen in small numbers in their intestinal tracts and show no symptoms what so ever, but there are certain species of fish that are prone to serious illness when infected. Among this group are *Discus , Angels, Oscars, and *African Cichlids in general. *Fish harboring this pathogen in low levels can have it become a serious infection if subjected to stressful conditions such as *overcrowding, poor water quality, poor nutrition, bullying by other fish, *weakened immune system *from other infections. Under these conditions the affected fishes immune system can not adequately control the parasite and it reproduces rapidly causing the acute disease…...HEXAMITIASIS. *Fondly known as HEX. *
* *
Symptoms include the following…
The first indication is a slimy whitish *feces. This feces has components of the mucous lining of the intestine in it. Fish exhibiting this symptom *will still be eating normally at the early stages of the disease As the disease progresses. The fish will often exhibit non typical behaviors such as hiding in the corner, head down. The *fish may stop eating, and *become emaciated. *Laterally compressed fish like discus often show this emaciation in the head region. *The bodies and eyes of the fish often darken. The fish may swim backwards, or swim listlessly.
Disease Transmission is by contaminated fecal matter. *Cleanliness of the tank *can be a major factor in the *transmission of the disease.