Definition:
Columnaris is a contagious disease in fishes that usually leads to death.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis can be made by scraping the affected area of the fish and assessing it microscopically to confirm Flavobacterium columnare.
Treatment:
Treatment options for Columnaris include giving infected fish with medicated foods that contain oxytetracycline. A combination of sulfate-based drugs has also been used for treating this disease.
Symptoms and Signs:
The first sign of Columnaris is an infection that causes ragged and frayed fins. It then progresses and develops into skin ulcerations and epidermal loss that appears like white cloudy patches. The fills change its colors, becoming either dark or light brown and could develop necrosis. Fishes suffering from Columnaris usually have signs of gill damage and difficulty of breathing.
When affected, fishes develop ulcerations within 48 hours. Some fishes die after 48 to 72 hours when left untreated.
Causes:
Columnaris is caused by the bacteria “Flavobacterium columnare”. The bacteria is seen in water where high bio-load exists and can persist in water up to 32 days.
