A report of hexamitiasis in ornamental fish, flower horn

Objective: Hexamita is a small flagella around 3-6 micron in size and is a parasite found in the intestinal tract of a variety of cold and warm water fish, including several species of Cichlids which are popular aquarium pets. The genus hexamita was formerly called "Octomitus" because of eight hair-like flagella which project from the organism. Three species of hexamita have been associated with disease in fish, Hexamita salmonis, Hexamita truttae and Hexamita intestinalis. The Flowerhorn, also called Luohan (Luo Han), is an intergeneric cichlid hybrid. Flowerhorns are thought to arise from the man-made hybridization . Method & Materials: Flower horn fish, an exotic species, rearing in private aquarium, had prolaps of anus, no appetite for 1 month and was pale in color, transferred in proper aerated water to veterinary faculty of Tehran University. we collected some samples from skin, gills and anus , for Gimsa staining , wet mounted slide and culture in blood agar medium identifying presumptive causative pathogen. Results & Conclusion: After these procedures we observed acute contamination of Hexamita spp. in this case. The recommended treatment was metronidazole, multivitamin 100mg⁄lit for 5 consecutive days in a bath treatment and water exchange. It is supposed this contamination was entered to the country by baggage-trade which made by passengers who trips to South East Asian countries and can pass through costume without any limitation and legislation. It seems that the alien fish need to be quarantined for proper period before entrance to country by responsible organizations.

کلیدواژه ها:

Hexamita ، flowerhorn ، alien species