| QUESTION: An aquarist has a cichlid with a white | | | | animals. Fish diseases that may be treated in |
| spot/wound about mid body maybe 3/16 inch | | | | accordance with this product include bacterial fish |
| below the dorsal, within a week the white | | | | diseases, such as fin and tail rot, mouth fungus |
| increased to about a 3/8 strip from dorsal to | | | | (often caused by the bacterium Flavobacterium |
| belly. There was a thin white cottony growth | | | | columnaris); fungal fish diseases (such as those |
| (fungus?) but it appeared to be eating away the | | | | caused by microorganisms of the genera |
| cichlids skin, and it appeared the outside skin was | | | | Saprolegnia and Achyle) and the like. Many fish |
| eaten away and was down to the 'meat'. Despite | | | | diseases, it should be noted, are caused by |
| its blackish color this patch was definitely fleshier | | | | different bacterial or fungal pathogens that often |
| in color. The fish died within a few hours. A local | | | | exhibit similar symptoms, so identification of a |
| fish store informed the aquarist that yes a | | | | specific bacterial or fungal pathogen is not usually |
| problem had arisen in the tank it came from. He | | | | possible from mere visual inspection of the |
| gave him 200 mg Erythromycin said apply as | | | | symptoms on the fish. Since the Pimenta extract |
| directed (5 tabs per 24 hours 4 four treatments, | | | | (Pimafix) treatment of this product appears to |
| w/ one water change) and that should solve any | | | | have broad-spectrum effectiveness against many |
| future problems. That did not work. | | | | diseases affecting fish and other aquatic animals, |
| When he came home to apply the first round | | | | precise identification of specific bacterial or fungal |
| another cichlid had what appeared to be a small | | | | pathogens causing the disease is not usually |
| white spot between his upper lips and eye. About | | | | necessary. |
| 5 days later - he pulled out the cichlid (after | | | | Additional salt is helpful too. A dipin Mebromin or |
| sterilizing the other tank) and not only has it | | | | methylene blue (not to be confused with |
| spread towards the other eye but there is a | | | | malachite green)has also helped speed cure for |
| white film growing above its eyes. | | | | my fish. I have other treatments I haveused, |
| ANSWER: Erythromycin should not have been | | | | especially to prevent reoccurrence once the fish |
| used. The disease the aquarist seems to be | | | | are OK (such as "Medicated Wonder Shells", which |
| dealing with is Flexibacter (Flavobacterium | | | | contain Acriflavin, which is active against flex |
| columnare), which is gram negative, while | | | | bacteria). |
| Erythromycin treats gram positive bacterial | | | | This is a disease where a lot of misinformation is |
| infections. I wouldhave started with a blend of | | | | circulated on the internet and elsewhere such as |
| Nitrofurazone and Kanamycin (Chloramphenicol isa | | | | confusion with fungus or incorrect |
| better choice than Kanamycin if it can be found, | | | | recommendation of treatment with Erythromycin |
| but it is not easilyfound due to problems in | | | | or Tetracycline. Getting the correct information is |
| humans). Pimafix shows allot of promise as a | | | | essential for this disease as it con devastate an |
| natural treatment for flex bacteria. Pimafix is | | | | aquarium in short order. For further reading I |
| effective for a broad range of bacterial and fungal | | | | suggest this article: FLEXIBACTER- COLUMNARIS- |
| diseases that typically afflict fish and other aquatic | | | | The Proper treatment of. |