Publication Abstract

Parasites

M. Longshaw and S. W. Feist

Many of the huge number of parasites that have been recorded from fish are capable of inducing significant mortalities among captive and wild stocks. Accurate identification of parasites is important, in order that a build-up of parasite numbers can be prevented.

Information about transmission requirements and potential intermediate hosts is often crucial to selection of the most appropriate management action to reduce or eliminate the problem. While the greatest threat to fish is from organisms that do not require an intermediate host (including metazoan as well as protistan parasites), myxozoans, which do need intermediate hosts, are common fish parasites and several species are serious pathogens of ornamental fish. Helminth parasites can also cause significant pathology. Since the normal host-parasite relationship is very sensitive to environmental changes and to the immunocompetence of the host, reduction of environmental stress will enhance the fish's ability to cope with the presence of parasites.

Reference:

M. Longshaw and S. W. Feist, (2001) Parasites. pp167-183 In: (Wildgoose, W.H. (ed.)) BSAVA Manual of Ornamental Fish. BSAVA, Quedgeley, Gloucs, UK.