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4701
VI
PR
October 2003
Protozoan Parasites
Robert M. Durborow*
Trichodina
Trichodina species are in the family
Trichodinidae that includes the
genera Trichodina, Paratrichodina,
Trichodonella, Tripartiella and Figure 1. Trichodina is shaped like a flying saucer or an upside down soup bowl
(Photo by Glenn Hoffman). (View video clip of Trichodina)
Vauchomia. Many Trichodina species
are pathogenic and the disease
caused by them is called trichodi-
nosis.
When viewed from the top,
Trichodina is circular; side views of
the organism reveal a saucer or
dome shape (Fig. 1). It has three
rings of cilia (small, hair-like pro-
jections) encircling its body and
oral cavity, which are used for
locomotion and feeding. Its body
is supported by a rigid ring of
interconnected discs called a chiti-
noid or denticular ring (Fig. 2).
Each disc has a thorn-like inner
ray projecting into the center of the
ring. Trichodina glides rapidly over
the gill and skin surfaces. It is usu-
ally found on the gills but also can
*Aquaculture Program, Kentucky State Figure 2. Trichodina is supported by a rigid ring of interconnected discs called a
University chitinoid or denticular ring (Photo by H. S. Davis).
Video clips mentioned in this publication can be viewed in the online version of this publi-
cation at www.msstate.edu/dept/srac. Click on Publications and then Fact Sheets.
be found on the rest of the body, and acetic acid. Trichodina are typi- when present in large numbers.
especially when the fish has cally killed with a single treatment The author has observed that
become weakened. Trichodina can and the fish can recover after large numbers of Trichophrya can
infect almost all fish species and treatment. A qualified fish health cause mortalities in fish, but not
directly or indirectly cause a fish’s professional should be consulted always. Perhaps there are differ-
death. for treatment rates and the current ences in virulence among differ-
Trichodina infections cause no dis- legal status of specific chemicals ent strains of the parasite and/or
tinctive lesions, so diagnosis is for treating food fish. Help in cal- differences in resistance among
made almost exclusively by micro- culating treatment rates can be fish species. Trichophrya is specif-
scopic examination. Gill swelling found in SRAC publication 103, ically a gill parasite that may
often can be seen. Infected fish “Calculating Area and Volume of cause death simply by blocking
often display lethargic behavior, Ponds and Tanks,” and SRAC 410, the flow of oxygen. An organical-
weight loss and flashing (abrupt “Calculating Treatments for Ponds ly rich, eutrophic environment
movements where the silvery and Tanks.” (e.g., fish culture ponds) allows
underside of the fish flashes dur- this parasite to multiply.
ing the fish’s attempt to get rid of Trichophrya (also seen in the Copper sulfate (CuSO4) is the
the parasite). Protozoan parasites scientific literature as chemical of choice for treating
such as Trichodina can be present Capriniana) Trichophrya.
in low numbers and not cause dis- There are several species of
ease; the experience of the diag- Trichophrya. This ciliated proto- Ambiphrya and Apiosoma
nostician in weighing the overall zoan parasite is not motile in the
parasite load in combination with Ambiphrya and Apiosoma are ciliat-
adult stage. It reproduces by bud- ed protozoa that are non-motile in
other pathogenic and environmen- ding and the newly formed
tal factors is important in deter- the adult stage and attach them-
teletroch (the free-swimming juve- selves to the gills and skin of fish.
mining whether or not a particular nile stage) resembles Trichodina
protozoan is causing a disease Ambiphrya (formerly Scyphidia) is
but does not have a denticular barrel-shaped and attaches to the
condition. ring (see Trichophrya video clip). It fish’s surface layer of cells with a
Trichodina infestations are typically has feeding tubes or tentacles that broad, flattened scopula or hold-
caused by high stocking densities protrude from a spherical cell, fast organ on the posterior end
and generous feeding rates, both resembling pins stuck in a pin (Fig. 4). There is a ring of cilia
done to maximize production and cushion (Fig. 3). These tentacles, around the mouth and one
profits. Such aggressive manage- however, are often absent. There around the middle called a ciliary
ment can be profitable up to a are characteristic orangish-brown girdle. Ambiphrya usually has a
point, but when the culture sys- granules in the Trichophrya cell. ribbon-shaped nucleus.
tem’s limits are exceeded, adverse Although some scientists consider
conditions such as poor water Apiosoma (formerly Glossatella)
Trichophrya to be a commensal has an elongated vase shape with
quality can lead to lower produc- (i.e., not parasitizing the fish but
tion levels, higher mortalities a smaller base of attachment
simply living on the fish and feed- (Fig. 5). It has no ciliary girdle,
from disease, off-flavor problems ing on debris in the environment),
and, ultimately, lower profits. only an oral ciliary ring, and a
others view it as a parasite that more compact conical or triangu-
High feeding rates can lead to can stress fish and cause mortality
high ammonia concentrations, cre- lar nucleus.
ating an ideal environment for the
reproduction of Trichodina and a
greater chance of a full-blown
infection. If the fish are also
crowded (as in cage-raised fish)
the infestation can spread very
rapidly among the fish.
Treatments for Trichodina infesta-
tions (at the time of this publica-
tion) include formalin (Formalin-
F®, Paracide-F® and Parasite-S®);
copper sulfate (CuSO4), which is
on deferred status with FDA;
potassium permanganate
(KMnO4), also on deferred status;*
The work reported in this publication was supported in part by the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center
through Grant No. 2001-38500-10307 from the United States Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service.