What is fish tuberculosis. How does it affect aquarium fish. Can humans contract fish tuberculosis. What are the symptoms of fish tuberculosis. How to prevent and manage fish tuberculosis in aquariums. What diagnostic procedures are used for fish tuberculosis. How to properly sanitize infected aquarium systems.

The Nature of Fish Tuberculosis: A Closer Look at Mycobacterium spp.

Fish tuberculosis, despite its name, is not caused by the same bacterium responsible for human tuberculosis. Instead, it refers to infections in fish caused by various species of Mycobacterium. These bacteria are particularly troublesome due to their unique outer protective coating, which makes them incredibly resilient and difficult to treat once they’ve infiltrated an aquarium system.

What makes Mycobacterium spp. so challenging to deal with?

• They are common environmental contaminants
• They don’t require a fish host to survive
• They can infect a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish
• Some species cause localized infections, while others lead to systemic diseases

The term “fish tuberculosis” is used because of the similarity in disease progression to human tuberculosis, but it’s crucial to understand that they are distinct conditions caused by different bacterial species.

Identifying Fish Tuberculosis: Symptoms and Challenges

One of the most significant challenges in dealing with fish tuberculosis is its often subtle and non-specific symptoms. How can you identify if your aquarium fish might be infected with Mycobacterium spp.?

Common symptoms include:

• Low, non-specific mortality rates
• Occasional, seemingly random deaths
• Presence of granulomas on internal organs (visible during necropsy)
• Increased susceptibility to secondary infections

What makes fish tuberculosis particularly insidious is that many infected fish may show no clinical signs for extended periods. This asymptomatic carrier state can lead to the unintentional spread of the disease when introducing new fish to an aquarium or transferring fish between systems.

The Routes of Infection: How Fish Tuberculosis Spreads

Understanding how fish tuberculosis spreads is crucial for preventing its introduction into your aquarium. What are the primary routes of infection for Mycobacterium spp. in fish?

1. Introduction of asymptomatic carrier fish
2. Addition of infected plants or other biological materials
3. Transfer via human hands without proper sanitation

The environmental prevalence of Mycobacterium spp. means that even seemingly innocuous actions, such as not thoroughly washing your hands before handling aquarium equipment, can potentially introduce the bacteria to your system. This highlights the importance of strict biosecurity measures in aquarium maintenance.

Treatment Challenges and Management Strategies for Fish Tuberculosis

When it comes to treating fish tuberculosis, aquarists face a significant challenge. Is there an effective treatment for fish infected with Mycobacterium spp.?

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for fish tuberculosis. The resilient nature of the bacteria and their ability to hide within the fish’s body make them virtually impervious to conventional treatments. So, what options are available for managing an infected system?

• Supportive care: Focusing on maintaining optimal water quality and nutrition to support the fish’s immune system
• Closed system management: Keeping the infected tank as a closed system, with no new fish added or removed
• Depopulation and disinfection: In severe cases or in systems with immune-compromised individuals, complete depopulation and thorough disinfection may be necessary

It’s important to note that once a single fish in a system tests positive for Mycobacterium spp., it’s generally assumed that all fish in that system are potentially infected. This assumption guides management decisions and underscores the importance of prevention.

Preventive Measures: Safeguarding Your Aquarium Against Fish Tuberculosis

Given the challenges of treating fish tuberculosis, prevention becomes paramount. What steps can aquarists take to minimize the risk of introducing Mycobacterium spp. to their systems?

1. Implement rigorous quarantine protocols for all new fish and plants
2. Maintain excellent water quality to support fish health and immune function
3. Practice proper hand hygiene and use dedicated equipment for each aquarium
4. Consider regular health checks and periodic testing of fish, especially in large or valuable collections

It’s worth noting that UV sterilizers, while effective against many pathogens, cannot treat Mycobacterium spp. infections within fish. The bacteria reside within the fish’s body, beyond the reach of UV light. This limitation emphasizes the need for comprehensive preventive strategies that go beyond water treatment alone.

The Zoonotic Potential: Fish Tuberculosis and Human Health

A critical aspect of fish tuberculosis that sets it apart from many other aquarium diseases is its zoonotic potential. Can humans contract tuberculosis from infected fish?

While humans cannot contract the same form of tuberculosis that affects fish, they can become infected with Mycobacterium spp. through contact with infected fish or contaminated water. This condition in humans is often referred to as “fish handler’s disease” or “fish tank granuloma.”

How do humans typically become infected with Mycobacterium spp. from aquariums?

• Through open wounds coming into contact with infected fish or water
• Via punctures from handling fish with sharp spines (e.g., catfish)

In humans, the infection usually presents as a localized rash or pustules. While most healthy individuals are at low risk for serious complications, immune-compromised individuals may be more susceptible to developing systemic infections.

To minimize the risk of zoonotic transmission, aquarists should:

• Wear protective gloves when handling fish or working in aquariums
• Cover any open wounds on hands and arms before aquarium maintenance
• Practice good hygiene, washing hands thoroughly after working with aquariums
• Seek medical attention if suspicious skin lesions develop after aquarium contact

Diagnostic Procedures: Detecting Fish Tuberculosis in Aquarium Systems

Accurately diagnosing fish tuberculosis presents several challenges due to the nature of the infection and the limitations of available testing methods. What diagnostic procedures are used to confirm the presence of Mycobacterium spp. in fish?

The most common diagnostic approaches include:

1. Histopathology: Examination of tissue samples for characteristic granulomas
2. Acid-fast staining: A specialized staining technique that highlights Mycobacterium spp.
3. PCR testing: Molecular techniques to detect bacterial DNA

For small fish, antemortem diagnosis is often not possible. In cases of suspected infection, a clinically ill fish may need to be sacrificed for testing. Larger fish may undergo surgical procedures to obtain tissue samples without euthanasia.

Why is timely processing crucial in diagnosing fish tuberculosis?

Fish tissue degrades rapidly after death, which can compromise diagnostic results. Therefore, any fish that die in quarantine or under suspicious circumstances should be immediately processed by a veterinarian experienced in fish health.

Challenges in Diagnosing Fish Tuberculosis

Several factors complicate the diagnosis of fish tuberculosis:

• The potential for asymptomatic carriers
• The need for specialized staining techniques
• The rapid degradation of fish tissue post-mortem
• The possibility of false negatives due to sampling errors

These challenges underscore the importance of working with laboratories and veterinarians experienced in fish health when dealing with suspected cases of Mycobacterium spp. infection.

Sanitation Protocols: Cleaning and Disinfecting Infected Aquarium Systems

When faced with a confirmed case of fish tuberculosis, thorough sanitation of the affected aquarium system is crucial. How should aquarists approach the cleaning and disinfection process?

The first step is to understand which materials can be effectively cleaned and which should be discarded:

• Porous materials (e.g., driftwood, moss): These should be discarded as they cannot be effectively disinfected
• Small, granular substrate: Sand can often be cleaned and reused
• Larger rocks and stones: These may have too many crevices for effective cleaning and should be carefully assessed

What makes Mycobacterium spp. particularly challenging to eliminate?

The specialized outer coating of Mycobacterium spp. makes them resistant to many common disinfectants. This resistance necessitates the use of specific cleaning agents and protocols:

1. Empty and drain the aquarium completely
2. Remove all decorations, substrate, and equipment
3. Scrub all surfaces thoroughly to remove biofilm and debris
4. Use a disinfectant effective against Mycobacterium spp., such as a strong bleach solution or specialized aquarium disinfectants
5. Allow sufficient contact time for the disinfectant to work
6. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely before refilling

It’s important to note that even with thorough cleaning, there’s no guarantee that all Mycobacterium spp. will be eliminated. In some cases, complete replacement of the aquarium and all associated equipment may be the safest option, especially in systems with valuable or rare fish species.

Long-Term Management of Affected Systems

For aquarists who choose to maintain systems with known Mycobacterium spp. infections, ongoing management is crucial. What strategies can be employed for long-term management of affected aquariums?

• Regular health monitoring of all fish
• Strict quarantine protocols for any new additions
• Enhanced filtration and water quality management
• Periodic testing of water and fish samples
• Maintaining detailed records of fish health and system parameters

By implementing these strategies, it may be possible to maintain a stable system, even with the presence of Mycobacterium spp. However, it’s crucial to remember the zoonotic potential of these bacteria and to always practice appropriate biosecurity measures.

The Broader Impact: Fish Tuberculosis in Commercial Aquaculture and Public Aquariums

While fish tuberculosis is a significant concern for home aquarists, its impact extends far beyond private collections. How does Mycobacterium spp. infection affect commercial aquaculture and public aquariums?

In commercial aquaculture:

• Economic losses due to decreased growth rates and increased mortality
• Potential for widespread contamination of facilities
• Risk of zoonotic transmission to workers
• Challenges in eradicating the pathogen from large-scale systems

For public aquariums:

• Potential for infection of valuable or endangered species
• Complications in animal transfers between institutions
• Need for enhanced biosecurity measures to protect staff and visitors
• Challenges in maintaining long-term exhibits with known infections

These broader impacts highlight the need for continued research into Mycobacterium spp. infections in fish, including improved diagnostic methods, potential treatments, and more effective prevention strategies.

Future Directions in Fish Tuberculosis Research

As our understanding of fish tuberculosis evolves, several areas of research show promise for improving management of this challenging condition:

1. Development of rapid, non-lethal diagnostic tests
2. Investigation of potential immunostimulants to enhance fish resistance
3. Exploration of novel disinfection methods for aquarium systems
4. Study of genetic factors that may influence susceptibility to Mycobacterium spp.
5. Research into potential vaccine development for high-value fish species

These research directions offer hope for more effective strategies to prevent, detect, and manage fish tuberculosis in the future, benefiting both hobbyist aquarists and professional fish keepers alike.

Ethical Considerations: Balancing Fish Health and Hobbyist Interests

The management of fish tuberculosis raises several ethical questions for aquarium enthusiasts. How do we balance the desire to keep fish with the potential risks of Mycobacterium spp. infections?

Key ethical considerations include:

• The responsibility to provide the best possible care for captive fish
• The potential for inadvertent spread of pathogens to other aquariums or natural waterways
• The zoonotic risk to human caretakers and family members
• The environmental impact of disposing of infected fish and aquarium materials

These considerations underscore the importance of education and responsible fishkeeping practices within the aquarium hobby. What steps can the aquarium community take to address these ethical concerns?

1. Promote awareness of fish tuberculosis and other zoonotic diseases
2. Encourage proper quarantine and biosecurity practices among hobbyists
3. Support research into fish health and disease prevention
4. Develop and adhere to best practices for humane euthanasia when necessary
5. Advocate for responsible sourcing of aquarium fish to reduce disease introduction

By addressing these ethical considerations, the aquarium hobby can continue to thrive while minimizing risks to both fish and human health.

The Role of Education in Managing Fish Tuberculosis

Education plays a crucial role in managing the risks associated with fish tuberculosis. How can aquarium enthusiasts and professionals improve their knowledge and practices?

• Attend workshops and seminars on fish health and disease management
• Engage with online communities and forums dedicated to responsible fishkeeping
• Collaborate with veterinarians and researchers specializing in aquatic animal health
• Stay updated on the latest research and best practices through aquarium publications and scientific literature

By prioritizing education and ongoing learning, aquarists can better protect their fish, themselves, and the broader aquatic environment from the challenges posed by Mycobacterium spp. and other potential pathogens.

Tuberculosis in Aquarium Fish

“Fish tuberculosis” is the common name for a fish infected with Mycobacterium spp. This bacterial genus has a unique outer protective coating that makes it impossible to treat once it is inside your system. Infections will show up differently and may not show any clinical signs at all. This is a significant disease because it is zoonotic, and can be passed to humans through open wounds.

What Is Fish Tuberculosis?

There are several bacterial species within the Mycobacterium genus. They are common environmental contaminants and do not require a fish host. Mycobacterium spp. can infect mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. Some species will cause a localized infection, while others a full-body, systemic disease. This disease is called “fish tuberculosis” since Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent for tuberculosis in humans.

Symptoms of Fish Tuberculosis

Non-specific, occasional deaths

Granulomas seen on internal organs during necropsy

Increase in secondary infections

The most common symptoms of fish tuberculosis is low, non-specific mortality, making it very hard to detect. Some infections may be present with no clinical signs for long periods of time.

Causes of Fish Tuberculosis

• Addition of non-symptomatic (carrier) fish
• Addition of infected plants or other biological materials
• Transferred on owners hands without proper sanitation

Since many Mycobaterium spp. are common in the environment, not taking the time to properly wash your hands may transfer bacteria to your system.

Treatment of Fish Tuberculosis

There is no effective treatment of fish tuberculosis other than supportive care. Some fish can live for a long time with an infection and show no outward clinical signs of disease. You may see a long-term pattern of random deaths with no links to other diseases, fish additions, diet or other environmental causes, such as water quality.

If any fish test positive for fish tuberculosis in your system, it is assumed all fish are infected. Once a fish in your system has tested positive, you may keep the tank as a closed system, no new fish in or out, and be sure to take proper biosecurity precautions, such as gloves, or elect to depopulate and disinfect your system. Depopulation is recommended in immune-compromised environments.

How to Prevent Fish Tuberculosis

Mycobacterium spp. are one of the hardest pathogens to detect, even with proper quarantine protocols. Even if you sacrifice one fish for testing, you may have another harboring the disease. Maintaining proper quarantine protocols for all new fish and plants is your best chance of catching an infection.

Mycobaterium spp. cannot be treated with a UV sterilizer. The infection lives within the fish, where the UV light cannot penetrate.

Is Fish Tuberculosis Contagious to Humans?

Most humans are infected with Mycobacterium spp. through open wounds in contact with infected fish or water. Fish with pointy spines, such as catfish, may introduce bacteria through a puncture when handling. This disease is also known as “fish handler’s disease” or “fish tank granuloma.” It commonly presents in humans as a localized rash or pustules. Wear proper protective equipment when handling pointy fish or you have an open wound on your hand.

Most Mycobacterium spp. do not cause serious disease for healthy individuals. Immune compromised individuals are at higher risk for developing a systemic infection. If you are concerned you may have contracted Mycobacterium spp. from a infected system, contact your physician.

Veterinary Diagnostic Procedures for Fish Tuberculosis

Any fish that pass away in quarantine should be immediately processed by your veterinarian. Fish tissue breaks down very rapidly, so diagnostic testing needs to happen quickly. If a fish has passed away hours earlier and been nibbled on by its tank mates, it will not be a good candidate for testing.

For small fish, there is no antemortem diagnosis for fish tuberculosis. Usually, in a suspected infection, one clinically-ill fish will be sacrificed for histopathology testing. Larger fish may be sampled by performing open coelomic surgery or laparoscopic surgery into the coelomic cavity. Granulomas may be visualized and sampled for diagnostic testing.

Specialized acid fast staining is required to confirm the presence of Mycobacterium spp. All fish samples should be sent to a lab familiar with fish tissues since they are very different from other pet species.

Proper Sanitation for Infected Systems

Any porous materials such as branches or moss should be thrown away. There is no method to effectively clean these materials. Small, granular substrate, such as sand, may be cleaned, but larger rocks and stones have too many nooks and crannies to effectively clean.

Since Mycobacterium spp have a specialized outer coating, choosing the correct disinfectant is critical. A one percent Lysol solution is the most effective at eliminating systems previously affected with Mycobaterium spp. Never add Lysol to a system with fish!

A TB As Deadly To Fish As To Humans

Fish Tuberculosis is a common name for fish that are infected with Mycobacterium spp.

This bacteria has a protective outer layer or coating that makes it impossible to treat once it’s inside your system.  

Some infections may not show any clinical signs, while others may display different types of signs. It’s a significant disease because it is zoonotic and can also be passed to humans through open wounds. 

So let’s take a closer look at Fish Tuberculosis and how it affects both fish and humans. 

Contents

What Is Fish Tuberculosis?

So as we mentioned earlier, this is a Mycobacterium infection in fish and can be passed on to humans via open wounds. There are several bacterial species within the micro bacterium genus.

These are also common environmental contaminants and don’t require a fish host. In fact, they can also infect birds, mammals, and reptiles as well.

Some species will cause a localized infection, while others cause a  full-body systemic disease. The disease is referred to as “fish Tuberculosis” since the Mycobacterium that causes it is the cause for this infection in humans as well. 

Symptoms 

Fish Tuberculosis is also referred to as an acid-fast disease, granuloma disease, or piscine tuberculosis. All fish species should be considered acceptable. Some species are a lot more susceptible than others, like neon Tetras,  gouramis, discus, and labyrinth air breathers.

Some of the clinical signs for this chronic progressive disease may differ from one fish species to the next. It may take years to develop into a clinically apparent illness. However, some of the signs and symptoms to look out for include:

• Lethargy
• Fin and scale loss
• Anorexia 
• Emaciation 
• Ulceration
• Skin inflammation 
• Edema 
• nodules in muscles that may deform the fish 
• Peritonitis 
• Erratic swimming
• Popeye
• Mouth lesions
• Reddened skin
• White feces

Examinations will usually reveal white or grey nodules in the liver, heart, kidney, or spleen. Skeletal deformities may also be present. Diagnosis is normally based on clinical signs and the presence of acid-fast bacteria in tissue sections. 

Infections can also be quite high in contaminated freshwater tropical fish production facilities. The aquatic environment is considered the reservoir.

Mycobacterium has been cultured from swimming pools, natural streams, beaches, tropical fish tanks, estuaries, and city tap water. 

How do Fish Get TB?

Causes of Fish Tuberculosis include :

• Addition of non-symptomatic carrier fish
• Addition of infected plants and other biological materials 
• Transfer from the owner’s hands due to incorrect or improper sanitization.  

Usually, fish get infected by eating other dead fish who have been infected. They can also get infected from eating infected organisms.

With regard to humans, they usually get infected by large amounts of mycobacteria gaining access to the body through an open wound. So while both fish and humans can be infected in more than one way, humans are not likely to die from the condition. 

How to Treat Fish TB

Perhaps the only effective treatment for fish who have the infection to supportive care. While some fish manage to live for a long time with such an infection and show no clinical signs of disease, you may also see a long-term pattern of random deaths.

These deaths may have nothing to do with other diseases, diet, fish additions, or environmental causes such as water instability.

So if you find that a fish in your aquarium has tested positive for this disease, it is assumed that all the fish in your tank are infected. So you may choose to keep the tank as a closed system and not add any new fish in neither remove any of the fish already in the tank.

You should also take up relevant bio-security precautions, such as wearing gloves to prevent yourself from getting infected. In any immune-compromised environment, depopulation is recommended.

Preventing Fish Tuberculosis 

Mycobacterium SPP is probably one of the most difficult pathogens to detect. This is even with stringent quarantine protocols. If you sacrifice one fish for testing, you may find that another has the same disease.

So maintaining correct quarantine protocols for all new plants and fish added to the aquarium is imperative to avoid catching the infection.

Mycobacterium SPP cannot be treated with UV sterilizers since the infection lies within the fish where UV light cannot penetrate. 

Can Humans Catch TB from Fish?

Yes, humans can catch fish Tuberculosis. In fact, lots of humans are infected with Mycobacterium SPP through contact with infected fish or water.

If you are handling certain species with pointy fins, such as catfish, they can introduce the bacteria through a puncture when you are handling them.

So the disease is also referred to as “fish handlers disease” or “fish tank granuloma.” One of the first signs you’ll notice is localized rashes or pustules on the skin. 

So to avoid this from happening, wear proper protective gear whenever you are handling pointy fish or whenever you have an open wound on your hand.

This bacteria does not cause serious disease in healthy individuals; however, if you are immune-compromised, then you are at higher risk for developing systemic infection. 

If you believe that you could have contracted this infection from an infected system, then speak to a physician immediately. 

Vet Procedures for Fish Tuberculosis

Any fish that die in quarantine should be immediately processed by a vet. You should also know that fish tissue breaks down quickly, so diagnostic testing needs to happen immediately.

If the fish has passed away hours ago and has been nibbled on by tank mates, then it’s not going to be a good candidate for testing.

When it comes to small fish, there is no antemortem diagnosis for fish Tuberculosis. One clinically ill fish will be sacrificed for histopathology testing if there is a suspected infection.

Larger fish, however, may be sampled by performing open coelomic surgery or laparoscopic surgery into the infected cavity. The diagnostic testing will allow granulomas to be visualized and sampled.

In order to confirm the presence of Mycobacterium SPP, specialized acid-fast staining is required.  All fish samples taken should be sent to a lab that is familiar and experienced with fish tissues since they are very different from other pet species. 

Proper sanitization

When it comes to proper sanitization for infected systems, any porous materials like moss or branches should be disposed of. This is because there is no effective or sure-fire way to clean these materials. 

You may, however,  clean small, granular substrate such as sand. Large rocks and stones have too many nooks and crannies to be effectively cleaned and sanitized. Mycobacterium have a specialized outer coating, so choosing the correct disinfectant is also vital. 

It is recommended that you use a 1% Lysol solution as it is the most effective at eliminating systems previously affected by Mycobacterium SPP. A word of caution is that you should never add Lysol to a tank that has fish in it. 

Conclusion

While there is no cure for fish TB in fish, it can be managed with supportive care and reducing considerable stress on your fish.

A good idea as a hobbyist or pet store employee is to take precautions when it comes to handling, adding, or removing fish from a specific reservoir. If you do, however, have a serious fish TB infection in your tank, the best advice is depopulation of the entire tank.

It might sound ominous, but it’s the best thing you can do in the event of a diagnosed outbreak of fish TB in your tank. Secondly, destroy all the contents of the fish tank, including the tank itself. Now, all that’s left to do is start over, this time being more equipped to prevent an outbreak. 

treatment in an aquarium, photo-video review

Tuberculosis mycobacteriosis of fish photo

Tuberculosis mycobacteriosis symptoms of the disease : the color of the fish turns pale, the fins are destroyed, the scales fall out. Sometimes there is a darkening of the iris, bulging eyes, open ulcers, black spots on the body of an individual. Loss of appetite, lethargy, thinness.

The fish often stand pressed against some corner of the aquarium. The caudal fins are lowered, the abdomen is pendulous. It happens that the coordination of movements is disturbed in fish, and then they begin to swim, making jumps around the aquarium.

Different types of fish may have different outward signs of the disease.

The disease has external manifestations very similar to the symptoms of a number of other common diseases in aquarium fish.

The causative agent of fish tuberculosis is the bacterium Mycobacterium piscum. These Mycobacterium tuberculosis, like all the others, are immobile rods. Their length is from 1 to 4 nanometers, width – from 0.3 to 0.7 nanometers. The optimum temperature for bacterial growth is 18-25 degrees, the maximum is 37 degrees.

Mycobacteriosis has been found in more than one hundred and twenty species of marine, freshwater and aquarium fish.

This disease is often referred to as “poor fish management disease”.

The entire population of the aquarium can become ill at the same time. As a rule, bacteria enter the aquarium with live food or from an infected reservoir.

Tuberculosis fish mycobacteriosis photo

It is impossible to establish an accurate diagnosis based on clinical signs of the disease alone. To do this, it is necessary to conduct research in a specialized laboratory, using modern diagnostic tools. On the other hand, most firms offer fairly universal means to combat most diseases

Preparations for the treatment of tuberculosis, fish mycobacteriosis :

Antibac Pro, Ichthyovit Kormaktiv.

Pharmaceutical preparations :

Kanamycin or rifampicin. It is best to feed fish food with kanamycin or rifampicin. You can simultaneously add these drugs to the water of the aquarium or a special jig in which the treatment is carried out. If the fish no longer eats, but you really want to save it, then you need to put it away and add medicine to the water. Kanamycin – 3-4 g per 100 liters, rifampicin – 600 mg per 100 liters of water.

Fish tuberculosis video review+

ADDITIONAL NOTE ON THE TREATMENT OF FISH

This note contains brief postulates and thoughts on the treatment of fish for beginners and amateurs aquaristics. Read them carefully, they will help you and your pets.

1. Assess the appropriateness of treatment. Sometimes the cost of a medicine (500 rubles) is several times higher than the cost of a fish (neon 50 rubles). As cruel as it sounds, there is common sense in what has been said. We are only FOR if you are responsible for those who have been tamed and treat the fish as a family member and all that. But no one has canceled the concepts of rationality and expediency.

2. Before any treatment, 1/4-1/2 part of the water is replaced with fresh water. This is done in order to maximally level the concentrations of nitrogenous compounds – poisons Nh4 / Nh5, NO2, NO3 . It is important to understand that often these poisons are the root cause of fish diseases. Fish are poisoned by them, their immunity falls and the pathogenic flora calmly attacks the weakened organism.

3. In addition, it is advisable to always have on hand drop tests for the above poisons + phosphates PO4 . For what? Firstly, to know the concentrations and not to allow them to be exceeded. Secondly, it is not always necessary to completely zero nitrate (NO3) and phosphate (PO4), for example, in a planted aquarium, zeroing them will lead to additional problems with plants, because. nitrate and phosphate are the main nutrients for plants. Thirdly, the tests themselves allow not only to monitor the situation, to understand the root cause, but also to control the situation before, during and after treatment.

Remember – you can not make drugs with high nitrogen and phosphate! Thus, you will only aggravate the situation, since medicines will also be added to the poisons, which both heal and destroy. That is, they have not only positive properties, but also negative ones. Remember that any medicine is not a panacea, not a magic pill.

Which tests to use? At your discretion, but preferably drip, not strips, because. drip more accurate. In principle, take whatever tests you find, for example, tests Tetra , there are certainly in every offline store. If these tests are expensive for you, it is quite possible to find our domestic inexpensive tests from VladOx at retail, if time is running out or you want to take tests for the future, then our recommendation is tests UHE (only sold online), too domestic, also inexpensive. Each of the above tests has its own specifics, incl. watch and think for yourself. The note is still not tests, but about the treatment of fish.

Let’s move on.

4. How, with what and from what to treat? Any forum discussions about the disease of fish are fortune-telling on coffee grounds. Since an ichthyoptologist can make an accurate diagnosis after scraping from the fish and analyzing it under a microscope, or even after dissecting the fish. So, something like that, friends. Our position on the mechanism of home treatment is described in this article , look. The essence is brief: if the symptoms of the disease are obvious, as, for example, with ichthyophthirosis or hexamitosis , then we treat with drugs and according to the treatment regimen for this disease. If the symptomatology is not obvious, we treat it comprehensively.

Complex medicines, for example, Tetra Contralck (contains malachite green and formalin) helps well against invasion (parasites – ichthyphothyroidism, oodinosis, costiasis, etc.), but also adversely affects other pathogenic flora. No, Tetra Contralk, there are other complex medicines.

Moreover, when we talk about “complex treatment” it is desirable to understand and analyze what and from what we pour. For example, drug Tetra General Tonic is:

Ethacridine lactate – 836.0 mg
Acriflavin – 160.2 mg
Methylene blue – 56.44 mg
9-aminoacridine * HCI * h3O – 28.20 mg

It’s not there, look for it components. And in general, it is advisable to collect the “Aquarium First Aid Kit” and keep it always at hand. Let’s say there are Medosovskie-Vladoksovskie domestic monodrugs.

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They took them, and, in fact, received the components of Tetra General Tonic. Silva ple, gentlemen.

Moreover, having gained experience, you can generally master and switch to treatment with pharmacy preparations .

5. The treatment regimen itself is described in the instructions. There are no special tricks here. Please note that during treatment it is desirable to increase the aeration of the aquarium and do not keep the aquarium lighting constantly on. Many drugs, when exposed to light, quickly disintegrate.

Of course, there should not be any sorbents in the filter (coal, zeolite), water conditioners, such as Tetra AquaSafe or Sulfur Akutana , cannot be used, they bind drugs.

6. After treatment, do not forget that many drugs disturb the biological balance in the aquarium, that is, they kill both pathogenic and beneficial flora. Here drip tests, good quality water changes, starter preparations and other measures aimed at restoring the nitrogen cycle in the aquarium will come to your aid.

SUMMARY . Fish just don’t get sick. Negative containment conditions are the root cause. Either you bought already stunted fish, or negative conditions have developed in your aquarium. Any treatment begins first of all with the search and leveling of the root cause. Next, a decision is made on the mechanism of treatment. During the treatment period, special attention is paid to the symptoms (regression, progress). At the same time, keep in mind that in 2-3 days the regression of the disease may not occur. After treatment, we do everything so that the aquarium begins to work as a single holistic and healthy mechanism.

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Category: Aquarium articles / Diseases of fish | Views: 33 048 | Date: 17-08-2016, 19:15 | Comments (1)

Fish tuberculosis | Aquarium size

Contagious diseases
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Fish tuberculosis (mycobacteriosis) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium piscium . This is a very dangerous infectious disease of fish, which, if it enters the aquarium, can affect all its inhabitants at once.

Representatives of the following families are especially susceptible to it: Kharacinidae, Carp-toothed, Cyprinidae, Labyrinthidae . More resistant are Eared Perches, Cichlids and Pecilia. However, “resistant” does not mean “never sick.” The same guppies often fall victim to tuberculosis (photo No. 1.3). At least in a single case, tuberculosis has been identified in 120 species of aquarium fish.

SYMPTOMS OF FISH DISEASE

Manifestations of tuberculosis are varied. The general symptoms are : refusal of food, lethargy, destruction of fins, loss of scales, emaciation, dimmed eyes, pale coloration. Ulcers and black necrotic spots appear least of all listed. In macropods, the skin turns red, the scales “ruffle” (the fish looks like a spruce cone) and fall out, an eyesore or bulging eyes may occur.

The belly of the zebrafish swells, the eyeballs prolapse. In the Pecilievs, the abdomen retracts, the spine bends like a rocker, the eyes protrude strongly, and the bones begin to protrude through the skin. The disease causes cockerel fish to refuse food, swim in jerks, the skin on their stomach stretches so much that it becomes transparent.

CAUSES OF FISH DISEASE

Tuberculosis is transmitted with food, soil or plants. Also with fish and shellfish . There are times when its source is insects that have flown (creeped) to drink water. Improper conditions of detention, weakened immunity can become a “push” for the development of the disease.

Particular attention should be paid to the fish that you choose to settle in your aquarium. Small (compared to the rest of the pack), big-eyed, skinny teenagers can be more than just “tight”.

Pitying them, you think that you will provide the poor fish with all the best, they will even out and catch up with their peers. But most likely their internal organs are affected by deadly tuberculosis bacteria. The body of the fish resists, so it looks and is weakened. And it is impossible to cure it.

TREATMENT METHODS FOR AQUARIUM FISH

Treatment with a successful result is possible only in the early stages – until the moment when the fish lose their appetite. At this stage, kanamycin is used, dropping it directly onto the food (10 milligrams of medicine per 10 grams of food). Or add directly to the water, in the amount of 3 grams of the drug per 100 liters of water.

Please note that kanamycin is an antibiotic and will definitely kill beneficial bacteria along with pathogens. Therefore, biobalance failure is quite probable.

At later stages, treatment is not possible! Sick fish have to be destroyed, the aquarium must be drained and thoroughly disinfected (3% solution of chloramine or 5% solution of bleach), plants and mollusks should be thrown out, soil and decorations should also be disinfected.