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White Spot Disease “Ich” in Freshwater and Marine Aquariums By Michael A Grima (B.Sc. Hons I, GradCertVetStud) A protozoal disease associated with the formation of small white spots/cysts on the gills and skin of marine and freshwater fish species. White spot disease, in the context of salt and freshwater environments, is not caused by the same species of protozoan, however, clinical signs of infection (symptoms) and pathogenesis (disease development) in both contexts is similar. Causes: Freshwater pathogen - Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. Marine pathogen - Cryptocaryon irritans. Diagnosis: Scrapings of gill and/or skin tissue or body slime associated with cysts can be...