Depending on the type of columnaris. It is untrue to say shrimp cannot contract it as columnaris is a bacterial disease. Shrimp contract a partially different form of it from fish but it is still called columnaris or "False fungal disease". I have shrimp that have and have had this disease. I am currently researching a cure for the ailment without using chemicals that will in fact kill the shrimp. Such as copper. However, you can cure any shrimp of this in one of two methods. You can first start by ensuring your tank has some aquarium salt. Using the tablespoon per gallon treatment can help prevent columnaris. However, should it progress and if its with dwarf shrimp rather than larger filter media shrimp such as bamboo shrimp you need to make decisions faster. The seconds part of the treatment should columnaris still be present and possibly getting worse you can give your shrimp aquarium salt baths. So to do this you would use a high concentration of salt in a small cup/bowl that is sizable for your shrimp. You will also need another cup with water from the aquarium as it is in the aquarium. So a control and a high salinity cup (Both using water from your tank. Taking the shrimp, place it into the high salinity bath (For Small dwarf shrimp only up to a minute in this bath NO MORE) as for bamboo shrimp or other large inverts use 15-30 seconds. Then remove them using a fish net and rinse them with water at the same temperature as your aquarium water for less than five seconds (This removes debris and dead bacteria from the disease). Then immediately place the shrimp back into the control cup. Wait about a minute for the shrimp to relax and then use the net to place the shrimp back into the aquarium. Dump out both cups into the sink as they may contain contaminations that could spread. Continue this routine up to once a day until the issue is resolved. Should it not be you may also take extremes to using q-tips or other small utensils to attempt removing the mature spores from the shrimp. I will add any kinds of medication I can either create and or find in the market.
