Ich (Ichthyopthirius multifiliis) is a protozoan parasite that grows on the side of freshwater fish. Almost everybody who has attempted to keep a tropical fish aquarium is familiar with this parasite. When this protozoa matures it appears as white spots on the side of fish. Sometimes a small amount of salt in the water will help control this parasite. However, too much salt can hurt the fish.

Parasitic Protozoa (Sporozoa), the spore-forming protozoa, contain several different groups that might not be closely related. As the tools for modern genetic engineering become more and more refined, taxonomists will be able to deduce the complex relationships between all of these lower organisms.

Protista kingdom (sometimes spelled as Protoctista) contains numerous phyla including unicellular animals and algae. Generally, these are aquatic life forms. The number of species is difficult to estimate, and it might be as low as 60,000 and as high as 200,000.

There is discussion among scientists as to whether this group of lifeforms should be split into two different kingdoms. One for those that make their own food, and the other for those that eat food. They suggest: Chromista and Protozoa.

Although herein we follow conventional norms and recognize 9 phyla, it has been suggested there might be 50 different phyla herein. These lifeforms have been found as far back as 1.2 billion years ago.

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