| Columnaris is a common disease which can afflict | | | | * "Cottony" growth which eats away at the mouth |
| your fish, particularly catfish and any live-bearing fish. | | | | area |
| The name of this disease is derived from the columnar | | | | * Saddleback lesion at the dorsal fin |
| shaped bacteria which are present in virtually all marine | | | | * White or grey spots at the edges of gills, mouth or |
| environments. This disease is often mistaken for a | | | | fins |
| fungal infection due to the fact that it leaves lesions | | | | Columnaris need not spell the end for your fish, there |
| that resemble mold. | | | | are several drugs which can aid in treatment of any |
| Columnar bacteria are most likely to affect fish which | | | | affected fish. External infections should be treated with |
| have been stressed by a number of physiological or | | | | antibiotics and chemicals in the water. It would generally |
| aquarium environment conditions. Low water quality, | | | | to be wise to quarantine affected fish, but water in |
| diet, handling or shipping are all possible ways for this | | | | both tanks will need to be treated. Acriflavine, Furan, |
| disease to occur. Entry can occur in a number of | | | | and Terramycin are all recommended, Terramycin |
| ways, either through the mouth or gills but also through | | | | may be used as a bath which serves the additional |
| small wounds on the skin. Ulcerations develop within | | | | purpose of treating infected food. There are reports |
| roughly twenty four hours, with a fatal outcome in | | | | that salt should also increase gilling, which will be helpful |
| three days without treatment. | | | | to your fish. Some kinds of fish such as catfish are |
| Due to the highly contagious nature and high mortality | | | | sensitive to salt, so it is important to understand first if |
| rate of the disease it is important to get on top of any | | | | this is possible for your kind of fish if they are affected. |
| signs of columnaris in aquarium fish. Large fish which | | | | Outside of direct treatment, prevention is also |
| "bully" smaller or weaker kinds of fish should be | | | | important: |
| carefully monitored, as wounding or stress both | | | | Adequate filtration and water treatment should help |
| increase the chance of infection. Fortunately, most | | | | maintain a high quality water content for your fish, |
| infections are external and easy to identify as white or | | | | Lowering bacterial infection rates. |
| greyish spots around the gills, fins or head. | | | | Quarantine any need fish for two weeks before |
| Columnaris lesions generally progress slowly taking | | | | adding them to your aquarium. |
| many days before finally resulting in the death of the | | | | Proper diet is not only important to your fish, but |
| affected fish. However, acute cases can be | | | | avoiding overfeeding also helps ensure high water |
| devastating, as it is possible for entire colonies of fish | | | | quality. |
| to be extinguished in a matter of hours. The following | | | | When using nets or aquarium equipment, disinfect them |
| identifies some of the symptoms of infection: | | | | after use as this will prevent the infection spreading. |
| * Rapid gilling where the gills have been affected | | | | As an additional hygiene precaution when moving fish, |
| * Fungus growth invades the skin and fish begin to | | | | feeding them medicated food and antibiotics should |
| disintegrate at the edges | | | | ensure their safety against columnaris. |