Costiasis

About Costiasis

Costiasis or Costia is a freshwater ciliated protozoa parasite species called Ichthyobodo necatrix or Ichtyobodo pyriformis. Formally known as species Costia necatrix.

These are stalked or Flagella (hairs) protozoa which attach to the skin or gills of fish to feed and can swim and attach themselves to other fish and then reproduces to infect other fish.

Quite a common parasite in Koi or outdoor Goldfish.

Symptoms

Signs of infection include excess mucous production, respiratory distress, lethargy, clamped fins, general debilitation and resting on the substrate.

The parasites feed on the gill and skin cells and can quickly kill fish by depriving them of oxygen and allowing secondary infection of fungus and bacteria in to the wounds.

• This parasite can multiply quickly so treatment needs to be rapid.

Notes

• The Costiasis parasite may be becoming salt resistant and is not killed by drying out equipment. So use a decent disinfectant on nets, hands, etc. to prevent parasite transmission between tanks.

• You will need 200X minimum magnification to spot Costia. Preferably 400X if infection is low.

Treatment

• Due to its inability to live in water above 28°C (82.4°F) , treat as if it was Ich by using a commercial Ich treatment or technique.

• Other recommended treatments include Malachite Green, Potassium Permanganate, Acriflavine and strong salt baths of 3%.

• See also Treatment 8 by Waterlife

Commercial treatments

King British

• White Spot Control
• Original Formula WS3

Interpet

• No. 6 Anti White Spot plus (includes Procell™)
• Catalogue

WaterLife

• Cuprazin - seawater fungicide / protozoacide (Seawater only)
• Octozin - flagellated protozoacide
• Protozin - protozoacide
• Sterazin - parasiticide

Pets at Home

• None

API (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals)

• General Cure™ Powder (contains sodium chloride >80%, metronidazole 1-10%, praziquantel 1-5%, silica amorphous 1-5%). See MSDS
• Super Ick Cure™ Liquid (contains Malachite Green <0.1%). See MSDS

Tetra UK

• TetraMedica GeneralTonic Kills bacteria, fungus and parasites.
• TetraMedica Contraspot
• Tetra Pond MediFin kills bacteria, parasites, and fungi.

Tetra USA

• Lifeguard™ All-in-One - Kills bacteria, fungus and parasites.
• Pond Fish Treatment kills protozoan parasites.

Jungle Labs (USA)

• Lifeguard - All-in-One - Kills bacteria, fungus and parasites (contains HaloShield (1-chloro-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-4-imidazolidinone))
• Parasite Guard - Clears External Parasites
• Pond Anchors Away - Removes Anchor Worms & Other Parasites
• Parasite Clear Tank Buddies - clears external and internal parasites (contains Praziquantel, Metronidazole and Acriflavine)
• Internal Parasite Guard - clear internal parasites
• Anti-Parasite Medicated Fish Food - For Internal Parasites (contains Praziquantel)
• Pond Ick Guard - Clears Ick
• Ick Clear Tank Buddies - Clears Ick

PondRX USA

• Proform C - Malachite Formalin mix for parasite control in ornamental systems and ponds (contains Malachite green and formalin)

External links

• Koi health - Ichthyobodo necatrix (Costia)
• Costia Ciliate Protozoan
• UKDiscus - Common Parasites of Fish
• How to Recognize, Treat and Prevent Costia in Your Koi or Goldfish Pond
• Costia parasite picture
• Costia Ichtyobodo description