Types of Salt Water Aquarium Parasites

Saltwater aquariums are delicate ecosystems that require care to keep them in good working order. A saltwater parasite can infect an aquarium, throwing the system out of whack and causing harm to the water and the living organisms inside. Identification of the offending saltwater aquarium parasite is vital in treating the attack and restoring balance to the aquarium and its inhabitants.

  1. Amyloodinium Ocellatum

    • This is a parasite that is better known as marine velvet. It initially presents with soft and white patches around the gills of the fish, eventually spreading to the remainder of the body. Dosing the aquarium with copper or with antibiotics is typically required. Freshwater bathing is another recommended method for killing the parasite in one infected fish, but it will not work for the entire aquarium at once.

    Cryptocaryon Irritans

    • This parasite is also known as marine ich. It initially presents with cloudy eyes and skin and trouble breathing. Small white dots may form on the eyes, gills and skin. Freshwater bathing can be used to cure a single saltwater fish with ich, but you may also need to apply copper to the entire aquarium to kill the entire parasite infection.

    Paravortex Flatworms

    • This parasite is also known as black spot or tang's disease. It presents with tiny black dots across the entire body of the fish. This is a parasite that spreads quickly, overtaking the entire aquarium. While you can cure an individual fish using a freshwater bath, the entire aquarium will need to be treated to ensure that the parasite has been completely eliminated.

    Copepods, Isopods and Argulids

    • These are types of crustacean infections that typically appear as tiny organisms shaped like craps. When fish become infected, they should be removed immediately and placed in an isolation environment. Like many parasites, temporarily immersing your fish in fresh water can kill these crustacean infections. It is important to eliminate this infection as early as possible to prevent spreading to your entire aquarium environment.

    Uronema Marinum

    • The first symptom of this parasite is the appearance of whitish ulcerations that appear on the skin. Infected fish may also present with cloudy eyes and lethargy. Death from this parasitic infection typically occurs rapidly. This parasite may be killed with a freshwater immersion followed by a prolonged formalin bath immersion the next day. This parasite does not spread as quickly, but quick action still must be taken to contain and eliminate it.