THE INVASION OF GUPPY SKIN BY TETRAHYMENA SPP. AFTER INDUCED INJURIES

Abstract

A study was carried out on the invasion of Guppy skin by Tetrahymena spp. after various
types of skin injury. Three types of skin injuries, scale removal, brush scratching and acetic acid irritation were performed. Tetrahymena spp. only the acetic acid irritation method allowed to invade the damaged skin. Guppy skin using this method, the fish caudal fin was covered with a 10%, acetic acid soaked, cotton strip for three minutes and exposed to water containing Tetrahymena spp. for 24 hours. Successful invasion used 100 Tetrahymena spp. cells/ml. in the water, at 25oC and a pH of 7.0-8.0. Histopathological examination suggested severe damage to the epidermis and dermis were the primary factors enabling successful invasion.