CILIATE PARASITES OF FRESHWATER ORNAMENTAL FISH

The aquarium fish keeping began as a small hobby and now emerged as an international trade worth millions of dollars in the export market. Although India is in a marginal position, it has great potential in ornamental fish production due to its rich biodiversity of fish species. Export of ornamental fish from India mostly dependent on freshwater fish species, contributing nearly 80% of the total trade. Parasitic infection and diseases are one of the major obstacles limiting expansion and yield of the aquaculture industry. Ciliates are the most common parasites identified from skin, gills and fins of infected fish in aquculture farm. Important pathogenic ciliates like Ichthyopthirius multifiliis, Chilodonella sp., Trichodina sp., Tetrahymena sp. and Epistylis sp. cause significant morbidity and mortality in variety of fish species in artificial closed environments of aquaria. Some common genera are obligate parasites whereas few are commensal, facultative and opportunistic. Use of appropriate chemotherapeutic agents and suitable management strategies can prevent and reduce aquarium fish diseases. Current investigations showed that protective immune responses against many ciliate parasites develop in fish bodies. Hence, vaccines are suggested as the effective solution to tackle the growing concerns of pathogenic infections in fish by providing protection, health benefits as well as economic gain.