Monsoon temp swings = Columnaris

[DrNo]

The temperature extremes/humidity of the monsoon season here in Tucson have been especially bad this year, and despite valiant efforts at respectable temperature control (air conditioning, venting, fans, frozen water bottles.... everything except the $750 chiller) the temp in my 125 gallon tank has been higher (~83 F) than average (80 F) and I see an outbreak of dreaded columnaris on one of my gold gourami (the smallest female).

This is my first time dealing with a serious tank disease of any nature, so I'll be updating the thread as Tx. continues to harness all the knowledge stored within these virtual walls LOL. Fortunately, I caught it very early, and the identification was relatively easy: isolated and raised "cotton fluffs" on one of the otherwise healthy ventral and the dorsal fin. It has no resemblance what-so-ever to the typical 'scattered salt' presentation of Ich.

These golds arrived as a group several months ago and were all quarantined/checked out after 3 weeks. The afflicted is now QT, but I have plenty of maracyn/maracyn 2 on hand so I'm choosing to dose the entire tank :wall: given the elevated temperature. Air stones are now on 24/7 and otherwise, all specimens look good. I'm electing for no salt at this time. Parameters are good as usual (0/0/5 ppm) with stable pH (7.2), but I'll be performing daily 15% water changes and checking levels diligently.

After 24 hrs. of treatment, the patches on the afflicted are already turning a pinkish color and she seems to be perking up a bit and eating. No signs of other problems thus far in the main tank. Any additional feedback is appreciated, but it looks she's on the road to recovery.

 

[Virtuoso2K12]

well its good she's doing better,good luck!

 

[DrNo]

Yes, the $750 chiller is looking good right now... :liar:

It would have prevented this situation, however.

 

[Lupin]

Columnaris is contagious and caused by gram-negative bacteria. You'd want antibiotics for gram negative bacteria. Maracyn, acriflavine and tetracycline will do the job.

 

[DrNo]

Yeah, thanks Lupin, I'm dosing both maracyn and maracyn2 X 5 days at suggestion of the local aqua vet here locally who works with the LFS. Apparently, we have multiple outbreaks city wide due to the conditions at this time of year.

 

[abcdefghi]

Hey DrVader do you have any pictures? My angel has 2 white cotton looking raised lumps on one of his fins, other than this he looks fine. I have tried clean water and been carrying out water changes every other day, but its not getting any better, and in fact looks like its getting worse (it looks like his fin is deteriorating from the edges inwards, even though there is no redness/rough area like fin rot).

I am starting to wonder if I am experiencing the same thing you are, what other symptoms have you observed? and is the Maracyn and Maracyn2 working well? Is it easily available from an LFS? I tried getting a picture of my angels fin, but its amost impossible with him constantly moving it and against the silver of his body you can hardly see the spots at all.

Thanks.

 

[DrNo]

abcdefghi, I just pm'ed you with a link and some more info.

Things seem to be stable... no additional outbreaks from what I can see in the main tank and the afflicted seems OK with no expansion of the affected area. Would be nice if those tiny packets were easier to use though... makes me want to look into bulk order to keep on hand in the aqua-medicine shelf. I just used a mild bleach solutioned the phython to be safe before using in the Tangan. tank for the water change (what a pain).

 

[DrNo]

After doing these daily water changes, I never had an appreciation for how dirty these gourami are; they excrete solid waste constantly, and it builds up very quickly on the substrate. Actually, after this gal is fully healthy, I might re-home it along with another of the golds and reduce the number to 5 for the tank given their full-grown size (up to 6 inches). They're around 2.5-3 currently and I can't imagine what it will be like when they're full size (even for a 125 tank).

 

[Lupin]

Hey DrVader do you have any pictures? My angel has 2 white cotton looking raised lumps on one of his fins, other than this he looks fine. I have tried clean water and been carrying out water changes every other day, but its not getting any better, and in fact looks like its getting worse (it looks like his fin is deteriorating from the edges inwards, even though there is no redness/rough area like fin rot).

Redness is not involved in finrot unless you are referring to hemorrhagic septicemia. Your case sounds like bacterial infection to me. Similar meds suggested earlier will help.

 

[DrNo]

I can't help but notice how many NEW threads there are all of a sudden with what appear to be bacterial outbreaks. Neon tetra, columnaris questions, etc. The temperature issue is a clear factor in many of these outbreaks, IMO. It's that time of year. Conditions that would normally not be a factor previously are now conducive for bacterial outbreak in the context of elevated ambient temepratures.