wrassecal
Active Member
What is Black Spot Disease?
Also referred to as Black Ich, this saltwater fish disease is caused by a small parasitic turbellarian flatworm in the genus Paravortex that takes up residence in the aquarium substrate. The adult worm attaches to a host for about six days, falls off into the substrate, then in about five days the adult body ruptures releasing a new population of young worms and the cycle begins again. It normally does not show up in the larger numbers as with other forms of Ich (Whitespot Disease and Coral Fish Disease) and is not nearly as dangerous. It is a disease that is fairly common with Yellow Tangs and Angelfishes, but can effect other fish species as well.
Symptoms
Black Spot Disease appears on the fins and body of fish as tiny black dots, less than the size of a pinhead. The fish will scratch up against objects in the aquarium and the disease may be associated with reddened skin, lethargy, color loss and rapid breathing. It is easily seen on light colored fish, but is less obvious and sometimes overlooked on dark colored fish.
Cause
Because this is a parasitic worm that occurs in nature, it just happens. It is most likely carried in unseen on a newly introduced fish. Some of the contributing factors that make fish susceptible to this parasite are stress, illness (a weakened system makes fish prone to all types of disease) and poor aquarium substrate maintenance.
OK this is about the only thing I found that sounds like what my yellow tang had. I'd still like to know about the life cycle. If this is caused by this small flatworm and it will live in the substrate what do we do to rid out tank of it?
Also referred to as Black Ich, this saltwater fish disease is caused by a small parasitic turbellarian flatworm in the genus Paravortex that takes up residence in the aquarium substrate. The adult worm attaches to a host for about six days, falls off into the substrate, then in about five days the adult body ruptures releasing a new population of young worms and the cycle begins again. It normally does not show up in the larger numbers as with other forms of Ich (Whitespot Disease and Coral Fish Disease) and is not nearly as dangerous. It is a disease that is fairly common with Yellow Tangs and Angelfishes, but can effect other fish species as well.
Symptoms
Black Spot Disease appears on the fins and body of fish as tiny black dots, less than the size of a pinhead. The fish will scratch up against objects in the aquarium and the disease may be associated with reddened skin, lethargy, color loss and rapid breathing. It is easily seen on light colored fish, but is less obvious and sometimes overlooked on dark colored fish.
Cause
Because this is a parasitic worm that occurs in nature, it just happens. It is most likely carried in unseen on a newly introduced fish. Some of the contributing factors that make fish susceptible to this parasite are stress, illness (a weakened system makes fish prone to all types of disease) and poor aquarium substrate maintenance.
OK this is about the only thing I found that sounds like what my yellow tang had. I'd still like to know about the life cycle. If this is caused by this small flatworm and it will live in the substrate what do we do to rid out tank of it?
