FISH COLUMNARIS |
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FISH COLUMNARIS |
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THE BEST AQUARIUM TREATMENTS/MEDICATIONS VIDEO: Treatment Information:
STEP ONE: The obvious first step is lowering stressors and improving water parameters (not necessarily just "clean water") as outlined in these sections of this article. * Parameters to Consider for Prevention and Treatment of Columnaris This article is A MUST READ before moving on to treatment too: Failure to follow step one and just treating with medications is akin to asking someone for burn relief medications while still standing in a fire! STEP TWO: Additional salt is helpful at a dose of 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons OR HIGHER (such as one teaspoon per gallon). Please keep in mind that this amount of salt is NOT meant for long term use, rather just the duration of time it takes to reach a cure for the Columnaris infection.
You can see from the diagram that the best results were achieved at a dose of 3000 milligrams per liter; based on the weight of salt this converts .67 teaspoons per liter or 2.54 teaspoons per gallon. This is Much more salt than many aquarists commonly believe a Catfish can tolerate. Readers should also note that fish losses were still higher than medications combined with swabs/baths based on my own experience with 100s of Columnaris treatments for clients. Fish farms generally cannot use antibiotics for fish being raised for human consumption, thus this alternative treatment.. If added to the main aquarium, I recommend building up to high level suggested by this study over a 2 day period AND done in a hospital tank ONLY AND NOT combined with medications as 2.5 teaspoons per gallon salt mixed with therapeutic levels of medications may be lethal to the fish too.
A Fish bath and/or swab: A bath using Methylene Blue (not to be confused with malachite green), or Potassium Permanganate has also helped speed cure in most instances for my client's fish (or my personal fish) and SHOULD BE part of most Columnaris Treatment regimens! AS WELL, a direct swab of "AAP Wound Control" (Merbromin) has been very helpful from my experience for Columnaris external lesions of all kinds, except for those within the gills. Caution, do not use Potassium Permanganate with open sores present or directly on gills, it should also be diluted 50/50 with water before direct application (AAP Merbromin/Wound Control is still your best choice for Columnaris followed by MethyBlu). Product References: In fact with many instances of Columnaris the Methylene Blue Bath (or the even more strong, but more carefully administered Potassium Permanganate bath) was the main factor of treatment that affected a cure as per many tests. See the picture above/left for a Betta also displaying secondary Fin Rot that literally was on "deaths door" (laying on the bottom with little response) that recovered with a treatment regimen of Spectrogram & Salt as well as regular fish baths which included Methylene Blue, Salt, and AAP Spectrogram (synergistic Kanamycin/Nitrofurazone). The Bottom line is a Fish Bath and often a Merbromin (AAP Wound Control) swab too is a MUST part of any moderate to serious Columnaris infection treatment!! With Methylene Blue OR Potassium Permanganate I prepare a double strength bath and place the fish in this solution for 30 minutes). AAP Bettamax at double dose can be substituted for Methylne Blue and other meds for a bath as it duplicates many of the best ingredients for a fish bath in a ready to use measured capsule (1 capsule per 2.5 gallons of bath water). Product Resources: Please see this article for more about Baths: As well as the above noted baths, direct applications (swabs) of Methylene Blue for mild cases of Columnaris applied to external areas of infection can help with recovery. Product Resources: Reference for use of Hydrogen Peroxide: Aquarium Medications 3, Hydrogen Peroxide STEP FOUR: In tank or hospital tank treatment. Many fish diseases, it should be noted, are caused by different bacterial or fungal pathogens that often exhibit similar symptoms, so identification of a specific bacterial or fungal pathogen is not often possible from mere visual inspection of the symptoms on the fish. By using broad-spectrum treatments such as a Nitrofurazone (AAP Furacyn or less effective Furan Two) & Kanamycin COMBINATION against diseases with similar symptoms affecting fish, precise identification of specific bacterial or fungal pathogens causing the disease that often display similar symptoms may not be absolutely necessary. Besides the synergistic combination found exclusively in AAP Spectrogram, the other reason to use this over separate dosing of Nitrofurazone and Kanamycin is that the aquarium keeper can readily perform an important 10-20% water change before each treatment (to improve effectiveness), which is not really possible without affecting therapeutic levels with the separate combination due to different treatment schedules. As well, Spectrogram can be safely doubled in dose for difficult cases (unlike separate treatments) PLEASE NOTE: As previously noted, a water change prior to each treatment of AAP Spectrogram is suggested as this increases effectiveness of the medication and generally improves water conditions too. I strongly suggest using the premier water conditioner; AAP Res-Q with each water change (then waiting 30-60 minutes before adding meds). Product Resources:
I have also noted reports that while I have enjoyed good success with the above treatment method, assuming water parameters were spot on (including Redox and water temperature), that the failure rate is increasing. Since the use of Nitrofurazone/Kanamycin is a synergistic combination (when used 100% at the same time), improving synergistic combinations via new research into human antibiotics resistance is yielding some interesting results with Oregon Grape Root which aids in antibiotic effectiveness as it contains a specific multi drug resistance pump inhibitor (MDR Inhibitor). Reference: Oregon Grape Root - It could save the world With severe quick moving Columnaris infections that have entered the bloodstream via a gill infection (as noted earlier in this article), combining Kanamycin, Nitrofurazone and Medicated Wonder Shells is a strong option that address mineral Cations and also helps with osmoregulation and blood issues. Unfortunately once this infection goes systemic, the odds are bad, but this is one of the few viable options at this point (assuming all stressor corrective issues have already been addressed). Resource: OTHER TREATMENTS; Doxycycline is one more alternative that may work and is readily available to the aquarium keeping market. Doxycycline is the only member of the Tetracycline family that I would recommend for a true Columnaris infection. Product Resource (Please support this article with your purchase here and not via discounter on Amazon or eBay): Unfortunately, there is much unfortunately posted in forums or websites about the use of Tetracycline or Oxytetracyline for the treatment of Columnaris however this is based on old research and misunderstanding of the large Tetracycline class of medications. AAP/SeaChem PolyGuard A reasonable alternative treatment for Columnaris and fin/tail infections providing good water management (including Redox Balance) is utilized often along with topical treatment of any sores/infection with AAP Wound Control or maybe Methylene Blue. Product Resource (Please support this article with your purchase here and not via discounter on Amazon or eBay): Ciprofloxacin can be an effective synthetic broad spectrum antibiotic against gram-negative bacterium such as Columnaris and can be used in tank or in baths. Triple Sulfa or products containing Sulfas MAY also yield positive results for treatment of Columnaris if used early, although this is not as effective of a treatment for Columnaris as it used to be or as the Spectrogram (Kanamycin/Nitrofurazone combination). My professional use of Triple Sulfa has found that it is occasionally a good choice along with lowering stressors, baths, and some salt for mild to moderate infections and is rarely harsh on aquarium environments including plants. Product Resources: References: Pimafix can aid as a natural "in-tank" treatment for VERY MILD cases of Flexibacteria in combination with lower temps, salt, improving stressors (including oxidative stress), and baths (I would NOT recommend it for more moderate to serious cases). Do not confuse Melafix with Pimafix, as Melafix is more of an antiseptic with no effect on Columnaris whatsoever! ADDITIONAL FOLLOW UP TREATMENTS; Among other treatments I have used, especially to prevent reoccurrence once the fish are OK might include AAP Bettamax or “AAP Medicated Wonder Shells”. AAP Medicated Wonder Shells contain Acriflavin (as well they contain Methylene Blue). AAP Bettamax is a good preventative treatment ESPECIALLY for long finned fish such as Betta and fancy guppies Product Resources: FINALLY, in summary of treatments; one aspect I found over and over, including when I have compared notes with other aquarium maintenance professionals is that attempting to mix a little of one method of treatment with another almost always results in failure. PREVENTION & FURTHER COLUMNARIS (Flexibacter) INFORMATION:
Columnaris, which is a gram negative strictly aerobic bacterium, is often prevalent in systems with poor mineralization, but not so much water high in tanins and other dissolved organics. Also reference this article: Aquarium Chemistry; The Importance of Calcium, Electrolytes and more. As well; crowded conditions (often in re-circulating systems), aggressive inhabitants, poor handling, poor Redox Balance, sudden temperature spikes (or prolonged temperatures much above 80F), and the stress from high bio loads are all conditions that can allow for an opportunistic Columnaris infection. Reference: Aquarium Redox Balance Columnaris bacterium have caused problems for fish farmers for many years. It is not easy to control, and because the disease is related to stress, an effort to identify and correct the source of the problem is necessary to prevent excessive or chronic mortalities. Abrasion from nets, transport, crowding, aggression by tank mates, and adverse water quality conditions (such as lack of necessary electrolytes/minerals) create a situation which is very conducive to Columnaris outbreaks.
Please note that if ANY of these parameters are "off", it may be difficult or even impossible to effectively & completely cure a serious Columnaris infection even if the most effective Columnaris treatment is used (AAP Spectrogram & Wound Control/Merbromin topically)! *Decrease Fish Load, Crowding Columnaris outbreaks have been shown in University studies to be prevalent in crowded, re-circulating systems, which is a reason I recommend against these types of systems even for fish stores. *Ammonia, nitrites; should be 0 ppm *Nitrates (long term exposure of nitrates over 80 ppm can reduce resistance to disease, under 40 is better) *Lower your temperature; under 75 F (24 C) (only during treatment). *pH (depending upon fish kept) Stability is more important than the actual pH. In other words, do NOT chase you pH, find a KH above 50 ppm and keep your pH stable at whatever pH you get, whether 6.5 or 7.5 * KH: generally a KH of 50 + (what is best here depends upon fish kept). This is related to pH and maintains pH stability via adequate carbonates *Positive Ionic Composition of the Water & GH: this is a little more complex than this article will deal with, however this is related to both the GH and Redox. Aquarium Chemistry; GH, Calcium, Magnesium, Positive Mineral Ions/Cations.
*Redox Balance; although often not generally a major concern for the average aquarist, it is important to understand when problems persist especially since advanced aquarium keeping research shows its importance in disease prevention. Redox balance is related to GH (although if all positively charges ions are lost from calcium and other minerals that make up GH, you can still have a higher GH of say 300 ppm and still have a poor Redox Balance). While Columnaris Bacterium certainly utilize these minerals, so do fish. So to make the strange leap of thought to state any GH over 50 can lead to Columnaris (over 400 ppm might be a problem and definitely over 500 ppm is a problem). This is simply bad science, not to mention proves a lack of practical experience on the part of authors of these articles. It is noteworthy that a higher GH plays an important role in adhesion of Columnaris by reducing surface potential and repulsive forces (both positive and negative depending upon levels). HOWEVER the importance in mineral Cations in CORRECT AMOUNTS plays an even bigger role in osmoregulation and lowering oxidative stress which is needed by fish to repel a bacterial infection. What is often missed by those advocating soft water is that the soft water found naturally such as in the Amazon actually has these ESSENTIAL mineral Cations, albeit in low levels (just ask Discus authorities such as Marc Weiss). Please Reference: Aquarium Redox Balance; Importance in Fish Disease Prevention *True Level 1 Capable UV Sterilizer; Related to Redox is the use of a TRUE level one or higher UV Sterilizer. This cannot only lower Columnaris bacterium in the water column, more importantly a UV Sterilizer lowers oxidizers in the water column that can and do cause oxidative stress which then provides an opportunity for Columnaris. A cheap clarifying UV purchased from a discounter is not the answer here either. * Diet: many aquarium keepers may not link this to Columnaris, and in fact the link is not direct. An optimized fish food is best that does not need to supplement with added vitamins due to "cooking out" of ingredients. WHY? Because, as an example, excess or un-digestible protein are a common cause of kidney (renal) failure and this allows opportunistic pathogens to get a foothold. As well, too much energy results in fatty liver issues which increases oxidative stress which then lowers disease resistance, especially to opportunistic infections such as Columnaris in particular. Further Information: My suggestion would be Clay Neighbor's "AAP Custom All Natural Optimized Fish Food" *Consider ALL steps outlined in this article: “A Healthy Aquarium; Disease Prevention”. *Good filtration (two filters is always a good option), is very important for treatment and prevention. It is important to catch this disease early, as Flexibacter advances it attacks the internal organs making for more difficult treatment. The Nitrofurazone/Kanamycin combo is about the only antibiotic that will work at this time (unless you have access to Chloramphenicol). *Genetically Weak Fish, often over breeding or exposure to poor conditions such as with "feeder goldfish" can set up a fish for an opportunistic Columnaris infection. Sadly with genetically weak fish or fish exposed to poor conditions that permanently damage internal organs often NEVER recover from Columnaris, even with the best efforts. The more steps you follow in this article, INCLUDING the use of a TRUE UV Sterilizer, the lower your chance of opportunistic disease outbreaks such as Columnaris (or Saprolegnia/Fungus). For the previous stated water parameters, water changes are often very helpful (although watch cross contamination if you have more than one aquarium). Please note that Anabantids (such as Gourami and bettas) seem to be especially susceptible to this disease, which is good reason to practice good cleaning practices with these fish even though they have the ability to get oxygen from the air. Product Resources: FOR PERSONALIZED HELP WITH COLUMNARIS (including sharing pictures of your sick fish), PLEASE LOOK INTO THESE PROFESSIONAL AQUARIUM KEEPING GROUPS: For further reading about Columnaris, please read these outside resources/references:  Section Two: SAPROLEGNIA (Fungus):
Another consideration in differentiating Fungus (Saprolegnia) from Columnaris is that Saprolegnia & fungi often grow on dead tissue, UNLIKE Columnaris which MUST have living tissue to live on. One more consideration for the identification of Saprolegnia/fungi is that out breaks often occur in an aquarium/pond with large amounts of decaying organic matter, with low pH, and poor circulation in the area of decay. Sometimes this even occurs in dead spots in filters such as canister filters that are not cleaned often or in under gravel filters, especially the tubular under gravel filters.
These organisms, considered to be saprophytic "water molds," are a normal, ubiquitous component of aquatic ecosystems (Saprolegnia are present in ALL aquariums and ponds). Saprophytes live off of decaying organic material.
Saprolegnia will often get started if there is a large amount of decomposition of nitrogenous organic material such as dead fish left in the aquarium or large amounts of high protein fish food such as krill/shrimp. Injured fish with open sores will amplify this potential problem. While the raw shrimp or similar cycling methods have their risks for allowing a foothold for a Saprolegnia outbreak, this does not translate to dried or prepared food unless it has an outward growth of "mold" on it, and even then based on my experience, it would be just like cheese in that removing the mold, removes the threat. Please read further about the lifecycle of Saprolegnia zoospores to also explain the risks, as well as the references. Further Reference: The Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle; Raw Shrimp Cycling TreatmentSometimes treatment of Fungus/Saprolegnia is somewhat similar to Columnaris, although Saprolegnia responds well to these chemical remedies that are not generally effective for Columnaris (as well as a few antibiotic/organic remedies):
Please note that many of the above remedies can be combined for more strength, however others cannot, such as the oxidizers (Potassium Permanganate or stabilized oxygen chlorine). Salt, dips, and baths are also effective (in serious cases essential) as part of a Saprolegnia treatment. However treatments often useful for Columnaris such as Kanamycin are less effective for Saprolegnia/Fungus. As for Erythromycin, I have read many fish keeping articles (especially on Betta forums) where Erythromycin (aka Maracyn) is recommended for Fungus (Saprolegnia); This is simply WRONG! While Fungus is not a bacteria and so cannot be labeled as either gram positive or gram negative; the fact is gram positive medications do not treat true fungal/saprolegnia infections and even if this is a misdiagnosis with Columnaris, this is still incorrect since Columnaris is gram negative. Sadly this misinformation is cut and paste around the Internet resulting in many needless fish deaths based on my experience and emails!! Saprolegnia (fungus) can be even more opportunistic in poor water with stressed or injured fish than many bacterial infections such as Columnaris, so healthy water conditions are even more important for cure (& prevention) and if water conditions are poor, all the medications in world may not affect a cure! The obvious 0 ammonia/nitrites are important but so is the often forgotten GH and a stable pH (provided by a proper KH for the fish kept). Without adequate calcium (found in GH) your cure will be difficult to achieve. Medicated or regular Wonder Shells may help in this area. Also important is a clean tank without organic mulm buildup, so make sure there is NO decomposing organic debris which can by itself bring on a Saprolegnia infection, in fact I have documented this which is why I generally recommend against using raw shrimp to start your nitrogen cycle. This article about aquarium cleaning may also be useful: Prevention/Lifecycle of Saprolegnia
The lifecycle is best described this was: the asexual spore of Saprolegnia release motile, primary zoospores. It is these Secondary zoospores which are considered the infectious spore of Saprolegnia and can reside in grave/substrate, filters, and the water column for some time until this host is found (these spores do NOT require a food source during this time as well). Repeated vacuumings and large water changes can reduce this number but not totally alleviate it unless the tank is sterilized with bleach (especially since these spores can reside anywhere in an aquarium), so denying the zoospores a host via healthy, non stressed disease resistance fish is the next step. Further Reference: Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle; Raw Shrimp Cycling KEY POINTS ABOUT SAPROLEGNIA/FUNGUS FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
For further reading about Saprolegnia, please read these outside resources: (1) "Kingdom Protoctista is defined by exclusion: its members are neither animals (which develop from a blastula), plants (which develop from an embryo), fungi (which lack undulipodia and develop from spores), nor prokaryotes. They comprise the eukaryotic microorganisms and their immediate descendants: all nucleated algae (including the sea-weeds), undulipodiated (flagellated) water molds, the slime molds and slime nets, and the protozoa. Protoctist cells have nuclei and other characteristically eukaryotic properties; most have aerobiosis and respiration in mitochondria and 9+2 undulipodia at some stage of the life cycle."
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