The Puffer Forum

I have what I believe to be Columnaris in my 55 gallon grow out tank, which has unintentionally also become my snail breeding tank. There are long finned danios, congo tetras, a wcmm, and a rainbow shark. There are no puffs in this tank.

I immediately removed all fish from that tank that currently look ill and am treating them with Fritz Maracyn in a hospital tank (Thursday, the 15th). I am also preparing tanks to move other fish in the 55 to other hospital tanks, should it be necessary. Which I'm assuming it will be. The other option would be to draw down the water so there are fewer gallons to medicate and treat them in-tank. And just treat everything and everyone (snails included).

The problem is I just fed my puffs [C.Asellus] snails from that tank the night before discovering this (Wed April 14th). I typically release the snails into the tank so the puffs can hunt for them. They are not tong trained.

I'm just afraid of giving this to my puffs.

What is my risk level and what is the best course of action in my puff tank and my grow-out tank?


The fish that has what I suspect to be Columnaris is missing scales and it is in the saddle shape in front of his dorsal fin. He has been hiding for the last couple of days(Tuesday&Wednesday) - I thought from the sparring he and the other "just come off age" male were doing. But I think he wasn't feeling well.

I also noticed that two of the danios are thinner than they should be (one was already under observation) and that their skin is reddish on their gill flap.

I will have to retake pictures tomorrow as they are way too big to post. I can also do water parameters if needed.

Thank you for any words of wisdom, best wishes, kindnesses, and super sciencey support.
🕉

(I am in the US if that matters for medication recommendation)

Great question that I do not have an answer to. I'd treat the snails with your fish. I also would treat your entire tank. I don't think the med you are using is the correct one. Kanaplex is what is recommended.

Thank you for responding.

I will look into trying to find Kanaplex. This med does say for treatment of Columnaris on the pkg. And I know it to be safe for snails and puffers.

Do you recommend that I treat my seperate puffer/community tank as well?

Thanks!

Columnaris can have a very high mortality rate but is also very salt sensitive. Increasing salinity to just 1.005 SG will be enough to eradicate it entirely. Try that, before Kanaplex.

Also, I would get maracyn 2. 1 works on gram positive bacteria, ive had some outbreaks which are catagorized as columnaris outbreak not respond to gram positive antibacterials. I would use maracyn 2 which is effective against both gram positive and negative bacteria. Though that medication will affect nitrifying bacteria so you need to watch ammonia and nitrite levels