Trichodina is one of the easiest protozoan parasites to detect under the microscope as it is almost perfectly round with hundreds of hooks which resemble cilia found its periphery and it constantly rotates as it moves through the mucus, causing tissues damage.
It attacks both skin and gill tissues of our Koi, and can often cause more damage to gills than realized.
Classed as a warm water parasite, it can survive for some time without a host. It causes vegetation of the skin giving rise to a grey white opaque appearance on the body of infected Koi which exhibit the classic symptoms of flashing, rubbing and lethargy.
A magnification of 100 to 200 x is required to view this parasite.
Recommended treatments are Potassium Permanganate.
Koi & Pond Tip of the Day January 7th, 2009
NEVER install an air pump BELOW water level! (Unless you install a check valve in the line!) If at any time your power supply to your air pump is interrupted, water will back siphon down the delivery tube and flood the pump workings, rendering the pump inoperative.
