The added pressure from swelling is what can cause the host’s tail to turn black. As the infection works its way deeper into the host it eventually reaches the spinal cord and brain, causing swelling. TAM’s enter a fish’s body through the skin and gills and, as soon as they latch on, the disease begins. Once Triactinomyxon (TAM) spores are released into the water they are able to find the second host. Once the spores enter the worm, they latch onto cells of the gut and within those cells the myxospores begin creating a new type of spore – Triactinomyxon spores, or better known as TAM’s. Similar to earthworms, tubifex worms eat decomposing organic matter, including the myxospores. Tubifex worms are able to survive in areas of low oxygen and heavy organic pollution, even through drought and food shortages! A common use of the worms is as a live fish food for aquarium fish. They are extremely common and are extremely hearty. Tubifex worms are also known as sludge or sewage worms and inhabit the sediment of lakes and rivers across the world. From there, the spores settle on the bottom and are ingested by Tubifex Tubifex worms. Myxospores are found in the water column and can come from a couple sources: decaying infected fish, dropping from birds that ate infected fish, or from anglers that have unknowingly transferred the spores on their boats or fishing gear. The life cycle of whirling disease begins with the spores. ![]() Lifecycle of the Whirling Disease parasite, Myxobolus cerebralis Spores
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