Rocker wrote:bred - did I read on the old forum that you had a problem with this?
I have done a search for this desease and I am none the wiser. Typically one articles relates to these condititions, another doesn't. Alot recommend 'non puffer' friendly meds.One suggests a salt bath. What do you think?
Rocker, I'm still at it... Columnaris is a gram-negative bacteria and comes in a variety of strains, some more med-resistant than others. Check around the mouth, particularly below the bottom lip, for small white or brown "flakes"... when heavily infected, these can resemble little fishie goatees.
I've had reasonable success with the anti-bacterial Furan-2 by aquarium pharmaceuticals. It does not kill the bacteria but rather stalls its growth, allowing the fish's immune system time to act against the bacteria. This did not "cure" the fish for me, however. You may have greater success. If you go this route, buy the 100 tablet bottle, you'll need them. My treatment duration was 12 days. Remove plants prior to medicating and aerate the tank very well. Nitrifying bacteria will be somewhat depressed but will not die off completely.
I'm trialing tetracycline-soaked foods. It's too early to know the results though.
Erythromycin was useless for me.
I've been logging my progress here:
http://www.thepufferforum.org/viewtopic ... mnaris#962
I haven't tried the salt bath yet because I haven't had the time to really dedicate myself to 3 baths a day.