Flavobacterium columnare
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[edit] About Flavobacterium columnare
Flavobacterium columnare formally known as Flexibacter columnaris as well as Bacillus columnaris, and Cytophaga columnaris. This is a common bacteria which gives the appearance of white fungus on fish but is actually a bacteria. Its name is derived from columnar shaped bacteria, which are present in virtually all aquarium environments.
If left untreated it is usually fatal and is highly contagious and can easily wipe out a whole tank of fish. A tank that has had columnaris in it should be completely restarted and cleaned out after an outbreak if all fish have been lost. This disease can be spread easily between tanks from contaminated fish nets, your own hands if they have not been washed inbetween tanks, shared containers and even food.
[edit] Other names
Columnaris, Cotton-Wool, Cotton-Mouth, Flexibacter, Mouth Fungus.
[edit] Causes
Columnaris is partly caused by bad water quality, allowing the bacteria to multiply, as well as the fish having an inadequate diet or stressed from being introduced to a new tank. Wounds and injuries can easily become infected by this opportunist bacteria.
[edit] Symptoms
Symptoms of this condition are as follows:
- White spots around the head, edges of fins and scales
- Cotton-wool-like mouldy growths around the mouth
- Fin rot
- Lesions around the base of the dorsal fin
- Rapid breathing
- Fungus around broken affected skin
[edit] Treatment
In order to rid your tank and fish of this disease:
- 30% water change, and do bi-weekly water changes keeping an eye on water quality, include vacuuming the substrate
- Copper sulphate, Acriflavine, Furan, and Terramycin may all be used externally to treat Columnaris.
[edit] Links
Categories: Stubs | Glossary | Diseases
