Sporozoa are unicellular parasites found in skin and muscle tissue. Infections with sporozoa in the aquarium are not very common. It is possible, however, that some diseases are caused by sporozoa, which due to their symptoms are interpreted as bacterial infections, e.g. B. Ascites.
Three groups of sporozoans have evolved independently, Apicomplexa, Microsprora and Myxospora.
Certain microsporidia attack very specific fish species. Zebrafish are z. B. mostly affected by Pseudoloma neurophilia. Microsporidia include the Pleistophora (neon disease), which invade the cells of their hosts.
Some sporozoa invade cells and stimulate the cells to grow so large that they become visible to the eye and are easily mistaken for Lymphocystis. Other types affect the liver, gills, and other vital organs.
Myxospora live between the cells of their hosts. All sporozoa are parasites. Many species form a very hardy stage, a spore or cyst, in which they remain in the host or e.g. B. can survive on the ground. At this stage, they can hardly be combated with medicines. The metabolism is so greatly reduced that they hardly exchange substances with the water. The diameter of a cyst is only 1 micron. The cyst is the stage that affects the next host in the life cycle.
The best-known disease is the so-called neon disease, which not only affects neons.
Bubonic disease is also caused by sporozoans.
Swim bladder problems can also be caused by sporozoans.
Further information
- Report on Microsporidia