Columnaris????

[Fishandknicks]

Hey guys, I recently purchased two beautiful electric blue ahli from Petland (I know, first mistake, but they were really really nice). Before I got them home I noticed a white, cotton like patch on one of them. I set up a Qt tank, called the store and they gave me some Tetracycline to treat them. Of the two, the smaller one has it worse. He stays at the top of the tank barely moving and breathing very rapidly. Neither fish is eating. I've never seen anything like it before. I don't think it's Ick. It looks like a fungus and it spreading from behind the gills to the tail. It's like he has cotton stuck to him. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this before? I'd appreciate any help you could suggest. Thanks in advance for your time.

[triscuit]

I'm glad you have them in quarantine!

Let's talk water quality first- I assume you have an established filter on the QT tank? We don't want to have the fish fighting fungus and a nitrogen cycle at the same time.


Stop feeding, do a 50% water change and test your water for ammonia and nitrite. Make sure to use a good quality dechlorinator, and add some table salt ( 1 TBS per 10 gallons for the tank volume).

Can you post a picture of the sick fish?

[bassgenie]

Sounds like Collumnaris. Might already be too late. Sorry Pal, I got a Peacock with it from petland a couple of years ago before I swore petland off. I usually always quarantine new additions. I returned the fish and got my money back, I suggest bagging them up and returning the fish... Quickly...

[triscuit]

After thinking about it- you should bring the fish back in for a refund. The risk of spreading the disease to your other tanks/fish is pretty high, even if your fish survive.

In some stores, they use medications prophylactically, so that diseases don't present, but instead increase resistance to the drugs. I have the suspicion that if your fish suddenly broke out into full blown illness upon being brought home....

[Tony]

I say take them back as well. Make sure you do not share nets, hoses, python, etc. Treat these items with net dip or a bleach solution after each use to make sure this does not spread to your other tanks. I have heard a couple of accounts of columnaris running through entire fish rooms, killing hundreds of fish.

[bassgenie]

Good call @Tony. I should have mentioned that everything that is used with those fish are now highly contaminated and should be cleaned in a bleach solution and the well rinsed before using again. I too have heard and seen what Collu can do. Its a very Potent Bacteria...

[Fishandknicks]

Thanks guys, but I was too late. He didn't make it. He looked terrible this morning. I think I just might take the other guy back. I don't know if he has anything but, I really don't want to take a chance. Toooo bad. I haven't seen electric blues this nice in awhile. Thanks everyone for your help. I love this site. Now, I just have to see if Artie has any electric blues. Thanks again!!!!!!

[bassgenie]

Id still bring both in, and want a refund on both.