Columnaris, best way to treat?

[skiweeangel]

Best way to treat this? I am doing a PWC as we speak and have done a lot of research, so I'm pretty sure it's columnaris. I am hopeful, but we shall see. I am also going to clean out the filter and hoses, I think it's over due. So besides daily PWC's what treatment do you recommend.

Tank specs:
55gal FW
marineland magnum 350 pro w/ bio wheels

Fishies:
12 neon tetras
5 giant danios
1 BN (or possibly pitbull) pleco

 

[DavidAl]

Most common antibacterial treatments will work fine, e.g. Maracyn + Maracyn 2. Add aquarium salt and reduce the temperature to below 75°. Flexibacter grows fast in high temps. Dim the lights too, and add a bubbler as Maracyn can lower the 02 (although you should be fine at 75°). If it's a mild case you may want to try Pimafix first. Test your water throughout treatment. Antibacterial meds can destroy the beneficial bacteria as well.

David

 

[Convict2161]

When I had a bout with columnaris I used Maracyn 2 for 5 days it gets expensive if you have a big tank because it's 1 packet per 10 gallons. Then I dropped the tank temp to 72 slowly. I also used Kosher salt 2x's a day. One dose in the am and the second dose at night.

I still lost about 19 fish but was able to save the rest and the tank. Took about 2 weeks. I didn't do any water changes while treating and when I was done I did a 75% water change and added carbon. This was all per some members here and the company that puts out Maracyn 2.

I didn't have to go with Maracyn plus.

Good luck. I also had Cichlids so I'm not sure if it matters.

 

[jlk]

Disagree- maracyn is erythromycin. Erythromycin
is a gram positive antibiotic while flexibacteria is gram negative. Erythromycin will do nothing to treat columnaris. I have been seeing more frequent cases of columnaris being resistant to maracyn2 (minocycline). Mino is also not as effective in higher phs.

Dropping the temp into the low 70's & adding a low dose of salt is well advised. Kanamycin sulfate would be the best option for treatment. I would try National fish Pharmecuticals site for ordering it because it is not readily available in most lfs. Please ask if you have any questions!

 

[Convict2161]

Can can only tell you what worked for me. And Maracyn 2 did the trick unless the salt and lowered temp did it and I was just throwing the M2 in the tank for nothing.

What I do know that worked for is fact. Check out my thread. Low temp,Kosher salt and Maracyn 2 did the trick.

Here's my thread. Hope it lends a hand.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f100/help-urgent-fish-mayday-188992.html

 

[Convict2161]

Any updates? How ya making out?