A disease of freshwater fishes caused by Tetrahymena corlissi Thompson, 1955, and a key for identification of holotrich ciliates of freshwater fishes
Tetrahymena corlissi , a free-living protozoan, apparently caused the death of large numbers of guppies ( Poecilia reticulatus ) and occasionally other fishes, in aquaria and hatcheries at several locations. Apparently the disease occurs when the fish and protozoan populations are both at a high level of density. The signs include white spots and epidermal damage. Histologically, T. corlissi could be seen in skin, muscle, and viscera; in some there was marked inflammation, in others there was little tissue reaction. A key is presented for the identification of invasive fish ciliates: Chilodonella , Hemiophrys , Ichthyophthirius , Ophryoglena , and Tetrahymena .