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Cryptocaryon irritans Brown 1951, the cause of ‘white spot disease’ in marine fish: an update

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Aquarium Sciences and Conservation

Abstract

Cryptocaryon irritans Brown 1951, a holotrichous ciliate parasite of marine fishes, causes ‘marine white spot disease’. In aquaria, C. irritans can cause acute damage and heavy mortalities to marine teleosts. Although first described 60 years ago, only within the last decade has detailed information emerged concerning its life cycle, transmission and pathogenesis. An update of our knowledge of this important aquarium fish parasite is presented here.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Center for Mariculture, PO Box 1212, Eilat, Israel

    Angelo Colorni

  2. Aquarian, PO Box 67, Elland, West Yorkshire, UK

    Peter Burgess

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  1. Angelo Colorni
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  2. Peter Burgess
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Colorni, A., Burgess, P. Cryptocaryon irritans Brown 1951, the cause of ‘white spot disease’ in marine fish: an update. Aquarium Sciences and Conservation 1, 217–238 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018360323287

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