None of us enjoys it when our fish become sick. Most hobbyists wait until the fish shows signs of a disease and then they
nervously react by adding chemicals or "reef-safe" products into their aquarium. Open Oceans recommends using a
disease preventative which is all natural and will not effect or harm corals, invertebrates, and desirable bacteria!
Marine Max is by far one of the best two part disease treatment and preventative. Probiotically, this formula works to help
maintain the immune system of the fish, thereby warding off disease. A healthy fish is a disease free fish!
Marine Ich is one of the most common parasitic diseases. Some call it the “white-spot” disease. Signs of marine Ich are
visual white dots or spots on the fish. Another sign of this disease is fish scratching/flashing against rocks or other
objects within the aquarium.
The Life-Cycle of Marine Ich:
Stage one-
The Trophont - when white spots are visible and attached to the skin of the fish. The period varies as to the length of time
the Trophont will feed on the fish. It is suggested anywhere from three to seven days (and is temperature dependant).
Stage two-
The Trophont removes itself from the fish and in turn becomes a Protomont. At this stage, the Protomont falls to the
substrate and for up to eighteen hours, it remains in this state. Once the Protomont attaches to a surface, it begins to
encyst and is now called a Tomont.
Stage three-
Division inside the cyst into hundreds of daughter parasites, called Tomites, begins shortly thereafter. This noninfectious
stage can last anywhere from three to twenty-eight days. During this extended period, the parasite cyst is lying in wait for a
host.
Stage four-
After this period, the Tomites hatch and begin swimming around, looking for a fish host. At this point, they are called
Theronts, and they must find a host within twenty-four hours or die. They prefer to seek out the skin and gill tissue, then
transform into Trophonts, and begin the process all over again (Colorni & Burgess, 1997).
Protection / Prevention / Treatments
Probiotic Bacteria-
This group of live microbial organisms beneficially affects the host animal by improving its intestinal microbial balance.
They consist of "friendly bacteria" that are used to restore the balance of the microflora (natural microbial found in the
digestive system), which has become unbalanced because of stress, illness, or as a result of the use of antibiotics.
Probiotic effect: allows beneficial microbes to compete with and crowd out disease organisms such as saltwater Ich,
Amyloodinium, Aeromonas, Psuedomonas and Vibrio.
Macrophage-
A type of white blood that ingests (takes in) foreign material. Macrophages are key players in the immune response to
foreign invaders such as infectious microorganisms.
Microflora-
This term describes the many hundreds of natural microbial cultures that reside in the digestive tract that maintain health
by aiding in proper digestion and supporting immune system function.
nervously react by adding chemicals or "reef-safe" products into their aquarium. Open Oceans recommends using a
disease preventative which is all natural and will not effect or harm corals, invertebrates, and desirable bacteria!
Marine Max is by far one of the best two part disease treatment and preventative. Probiotically, this formula works to help
maintain the immune system of the fish, thereby warding off disease. A healthy fish is a disease free fish!
Marine Ich is one of the most common parasitic diseases. Some call it the “white-spot” disease. Signs of marine Ich are
visual white dots or spots on the fish. Another sign of this disease is fish scratching/flashing against rocks or other
objects within the aquarium.
The Life-Cycle of Marine Ich:
Stage one-
The Trophont - when white spots are visible and attached to the skin of the fish. The period varies as to the length of time
the Trophont will feed on the fish. It is suggested anywhere from three to seven days (and is temperature dependant).
Stage two-
The Trophont removes itself from the fish and in turn becomes a Protomont. At this stage, the Protomont falls to the
substrate and for up to eighteen hours, it remains in this state. Once the Protomont attaches to a surface, it begins to
encyst and is now called a Tomont.
Stage three-
Division inside the cyst into hundreds of daughter parasites, called Tomites, begins shortly thereafter. This noninfectious
stage can last anywhere from three to twenty-eight days. During this extended period, the parasite cyst is lying in wait for a
host.
Stage four-
After this period, the Tomites hatch and begin swimming around, looking for a fish host. At this point, they are called
Theronts, and they must find a host within twenty-four hours or die. They prefer to seek out the skin and gill tissue, then
transform into Trophonts, and begin the process all over again (Colorni & Burgess, 1997).
Protection / Prevention / Treatments
Probiotic Bacteria-
This group of live microbial organisms beneficially affects the host animal by improving its intestinal microbial balance.
They consist of "friendly bacteria" that are used to restore the balance of the microflora (natural microbial found in the
digestive system), which has become unbalanced because of stress, illness, or as a result of the use of antibiotics.
Probiotic effect: allows beneficial microbes to compete with and crowd out disease organisms such as saltwater Ich,
Amyloodinium, Aeromonas, Psuedomonas and Vibrio.
Macrophage-
A type of white blood that ingests (takes in) foreign material. Macrophages are key players in the immune response to
foreign invaders such as infectious microorganisms.
Microflora-
This term describes the many hundreds of natural microbial cultures that reside in the digestive tract that maintain health
by aiding in proper digestion and supporting immune system function.
Saltwater Fish Disease: Ich (Cryptocaryon)
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