Fish Health - Dermocystidium

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DermocystidiumThis has been called many things: fungus, protozoan, parasite, fish pox and more. A lot has been written about it and no one is any the wisher. The problem is that there has been no research done, as it does very little harm.

One thing I do agree with though, is that frogs do carry it.

It looks very like fish/carp pox - a cyst forming organism which builds up and bursts. However, unlike fish/carp pox it's not a solid lump, it's whitish yes, but looks as though it's full of tiny white spheres and has a pinky appearance.

This kills quite a few koi, mainly in spring or autumn when the water is quite cool. It's often thought to be white spot and so formalin and malacite is poured into the pond and it's this treatment that kills the fish, not dermocystidium.

There very little more I can say other than try to learn to identify it and be able to distinguish it from fish/carp pox. How it ever gets mixed up with white spot simply amazes me!

Dermocystidium is mainly seen on fish's fins. It can be found on fresh and marine fish, often underneath the fish near the vent and ventral fins.

If it's removed from a fish, and just dispatched and prepared for microscope slide the spore count is unbelievable.

In its true form it can be mistaken for papillomas tumours, but not a fish disease.

Research is under way, but the finding may never be known unless it affects the value of game fish.