ichthyophthirius

[ik-thee-of-theer-ee-uhs]

noun

1. ich.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ichthyophthirius¹

< New Latin, the protozoan genus causing the disease, equivalent to ichthyo- ichthyo- + -phthirius < Greek phtheír louse

Example Sentences

The Hoopa and Yurok tribes and Humboldt County sought the releases to stave off an outbreak of a gill-rotting disease — known as Ich, short for Ichthyophthirius multifiliis — that spreads in low and warm water conditions.

Read more on New York Times

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, or "ich," was last measured in large quantities in the Klamath during a 2002 drought, when it may have killed many as 70,000 Chinook salmon and steelhead trout, said Michael Belchick, a biologist for the Yurok Tribe.

Read more on Reuters