Whirling disease, caused by free-floating Triactinomyxon actinospores (TAMs), is a parasitic infection that primarily affects trout and whitefish. The parasite causes skeletal deformations and neurological damage in young fish.
How Whirling Disease Works
Here's a breakdown of the infection process:
- Infection: Free-floating TAMs attach to the trout or whitefish host.
- Development: Myxospores develop inside the fish over a period of 3 to 4 months.
- Persistence: Once a fish is infected, most myxospores remain in the fish for the remainder of its life.
- Symptoms: Signs of whirling disease are most noticeable in very young fish infected with the parasite.
Infected fish often exhibit a characteristic "whirling" behavior due to the parasite's impact on their nervous system and cartilage. This erratic swimming makes them vulnerable to predators and hinders their ability to feed effectively.
