FISH DISEASE ARTICLES: COLUMNARIS DISEASE

(Flexibacter columnaris, Cytophaga columnaris, Bacillus columnaris)

In many cases, we receive calls from customers stating that they have white wavy worm-like parasites attached to the glass in the aquarium that tend to sway back and forth with the water circulation in the aquarium.   Often, the fish do not seem to be affected at this stage.  Given time for this disease to spread, the infestations usually begin on the fins, which usually become frayed and ragged.  The disease will spread to the skin, eventually causing ulcerations and irregular areas of epidermal loss.  Aeromonas hydrophila is commonly present in advanced lesions and contributes to the pathology.

In the gills, Flexibacter Columnaris will color them light to dark brown and you will also notice some necrosis.  On the skin, the fish will appear to have mold growing on it, with a slight cottony look, due to a fungal infection that has attacked the lesions and ulcerations.  The lesions and ulcerations in advanced stages are usually infected with a secondary motile aeromonad.   So as you can see, here is a situation where you have multiple infections present.

Flexibacter Columnaris can persist in water for up to 32 days when the hardness is 50ppm or more, but a hardness of 10ppm reduces viability considerably.  The addition of carbon to the system increases the survival of this disease in hard water, but this is not the case in soft water.

Columnaris is prevelant in systems with high organic loads, crowded conditions, handling and low dissolved oxygen content.   Lesions generally develop in 24 to 48 hours following handling, followed by death at 48 to 72 hours if not treated.

Treatment and Control:

Any Sulfa drug combination will work well.  TMP Sulfa, Sulfa 4 TMP, or Triple Sulfa.

As with all diseases of tropical fish, proper maintenance and water quality are the key to success.

Best Regards,

Dr. Gary Aukes; Pharm D, Dr. Brian Aukes; PhD., and the staff of National Fish Pharmaceuticals.
 

Fish Disease Articles