Eye fluke (<i>Diplostomum flexicaudum</i>)

Symptoms

Blindness
A typical symptom of Crytobia is blindness, most noticeably fish swimming into objects.

Cloudy Eyes
Total area of eyes becomes clouded.

Small black spots
Skin shows a profusion of very small black spots.

Cloudy lens of Eyes.
Lens of eyes appears opaque as if a film has been placed on them.

Corneal opacity
Cornea of eye becomes totally opaque.

Causes

Metacercarial infection caused by Diplostomum spp. trematode metacercariae. Typically infects trout and salmonids. It is transmitted Indirectly, cercaria from snail to fish.

Prognosis

Can cause losses if unchecked. Early detection and treatment will enable most cases to be have a high recovery rate.

Treatment

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Prevention

Preventing the entry of snails to the fish enclosure may disrupt it's life cycle.

Contributors

Dr. Chacko, Jim
Unity College of Maine
Fish Patholgy Dept.
Me USA