Infection with Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and Trichodina sp. in Flowerhorn (a hybrid cichlid fish) Fish in Iran

Flower horn (a hybrid cichlid fish) is a popular ornamental fresh water fish belongedto Cichlidae, which its culture has begun in recent years in Iran. There is no report ondiseases of this species in Iran. The purpose of this study is to investigate the causeof mortality of flower horn fish in Tehran province, Qods city. In the fall of 2013, atone of ornamental fish breeding centers, some symptoms such as rubbing the skin tothe aquarium’s wall, and in some cases, lethargy, anorexia, tiny spots on the skin intwo groups of flower fish were observed which were accompanied with mortality. Toidentify the agent, three horn fish from each aquarium were sent to aquatic animaldisease laboratory in the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran. Wetmounts from the skin, fins, and gills of the fish were prepared and examined usinglight microscopy. Then, the specimens were euthanized, and necropsy were alsoperformed. The internal organs, such as intestines, were examined for parasiticinfections. On microscopic examination, no parasites in the intestines and otherinternal organs were observed. From the skin and gills of fish of first aquariumobserved ich parasites (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis), and Trichodina sp. from secondone. Trichodina sp. was observed only in the skin, whereas I. multifiliis was observedboth in the skin and the gills. The infection rate of I. multifiliis was higher thanTrichodina sp.

Keywords:

Flower fish , Parasite , Trichodina sp. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis