The disease known as the white spot in fish is caused by a pathogen known as ichthyophthirius multifiliis, although what aggravates the disease is the sum of many other parasites that affect the gills and skin of the fish.
The white point is very easy to detect as the fish will have white spots on skin, fins and gills. These small points can reach a millimeter in diameter and can form scabs of an irregular nature. The fish will constantly show accelerated behavior and will rub against the walls of the aquarium.
This pathogen uses the body of its host in its life to develop, in this case the fish. Once mature they detaches falling to the bottom of the aquarium, where, after wrapping itself in a membrane, it reproduces, forming hundreds of new parasites that go out into the free water in search of another host. The elevated aquarium temperatures accelerate their reproduction and slower if the water is warmer, also the more fish there are, the more they can reproduce. Its life cycle is two days.
With regards to white spot disease It is very difficult to treat once it is found in the fish as it becomes embedded beyond the outer layer of the fish's skin. Therefore, the application of any chemical treatment is effective in the remaining phases of the reproductive process. In addition, there are species de peces that do not support all treatments.
For its treatment there are those indicated for the disease on the market such as formalin and malachite green for about 7 daysYou simply have to follow the instructions to the letter to avoid poisoning. Another option is to remove all the fish from the aquarium, raise the temperature to 30ºC and allow about 4 days to pass to make sure that all the parasites have died.