A Disease of Freshwater Fishes Caused by Tetrahymena corlissi Thompson, 1955, and a Key for Identification of Holotrich Ciliates of Freshwater Fishes

Authors

Glenn L. Hoffman, US Fish and Wildlife ServiceFollow
M. Lando, National Zoological Park, Washington, D.C.
J. E. Camper, National Fish Hatchery
D. W. Coats, University of Marylan
J. L. Stookey, U. S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases
J. D. Burek, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Date of this Version

1975

Comments

Published in Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 61, No. 2, April 1975, p. 217-223

Abstract

Tetrahymena corlissi, a free-living protozoan, apparently caused the death of large numbers of guppies (Poecilia reticulatus) and occasionally other fishes, in aquaria and hatcheries at several locations. Apparently the disease occurs when the fish and protozoan populations are both at a high level of density. The signs include white spots and epidermal damage. Histologically, T. corlissi could be seen in skin, muscle, and viscera; in some there was marked inflammation, in others there was little tissue reaction. A key is presented for the identification of invasive fish ciliates: Chilodonella, Hemiophrys, Ichthyophthirius, Ophryoglena, and Tetrahymena.