Fish Aeromonas & Vibrio Disease

[Carl]

I've updated the popularAAP article:
"Fish Aeromonas & Vibrio Disease | Septicemia, Pop Eye, Treatment"

Here is an excerpt:
"Vibrio is a lactose-fermenting, anaerobic, gram-negative bacteria. It is slightly curved and rod shaped, and is an opportunistic pathogen, found in saltwater/marine or brackish environments. This organism causes wound infections, gastroenteritis, and is a common cause of “hemorrhagic septicemia” (see the picture below in the Aeromonas section for Septicemia) where the microorganism enters the blood stream, resulting in septic shock, rapidly followed by death in many cases (about 50% of infections).
A common symptom in marine fish and brackish fish is red patches or red streaked fins, especially in Yellow Tangs and Marine Angels.

Kanamycin can be effective in the high pH applications where Vibrio is usually present.
Even better is a combination treatment of Kanamycin with Nitrofurazone found in AAP Spectrogram which is a much more synergistic/effective combination than treating separately with each product.

Another older but useful antimicrobial for treatment of Vibrio is Triple Sulfa and it also is effective in high pH environments.

Pimafix and a tea made Usnea Lichen are natural treatments that have shown some effectiveness for Vibrio, but is often a weak treatment at best so only mild cases should be treated this way.

Treatment of wounds/sores (such as in in the fish pictured to the left) with AAP MethyBlu (Methylene Blue) or Hydrogen Peroxide in a 30 minute "Fish Bath" and/or a direct application MethyBlu or AAP Wound Control/Merbromin (best choice for direct application) is also useful in treatment of Vibrio.
See our TREATMENTS SECTION for more."

Recommended Product Resources that support the hobby AND this FREE information:
*AAP Spectrogram (Premium Nitrofurazone/Kanamycin Sulfate Combo)
*AAP Wound Control/Merbromin
*AAP Kanamycin/Kanaplex
*AAP Triple Sulfa
*AAP Premium MethyBlu
*AAP Pimafix

Carl

[Carl]

I have further updated the Aeromonas/Vibrio article.

www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Vibrio_Aeromonas.html

Here is an excerpt:

"Aeromonas can also be a factor in swim bladder or intestinal problems, especially when food is allowed to decompose on the bottom of the aquarium where fish (especially goldfish) may come along and consume it; also soaking dry foods in water prior to feeding cuts down on intestinal Aeromonas infections (as does healthy water parameters).
Large amounts of decomposing organic debris on the bottom of the aquarium (especially with goldfish) can also be a cause intestinal Aeromonas infections, so good filtration and in between cleanings with tools such as the Eheim Sludge Remover Vacuum can help."

MORE:
"It is also noteworthy that swim bladder & bloating problems are a syndrome, NOT a disease per say as there are many causes or combinations there of including Aeromonas bacteria and feeding low fiber diets.

With Bettas, poor water conditions due to ammonia spikes and other water quality issues can be a cause of swim bladder Aeromonas infections.
Since many bettas are not kept in filtered containers, I strongly recommend finding some way to either add a good bio filter (such as AAP Hydro Sponge #1) or adding products such as Matrix to the bowl bottom or better in a small flow through medicine bottle (AmmoChips and other similar products can be used, but these are not as effective long term for these ammonia spikes).

Generally for Swim Bladder infections simple fish baths described later in this article should be the first treatment step as well as withholding food for a couple days, and increasing mineral/electrolyte levels in the tank.
This can be done with products such as Regular or Medicated Wonder Shells and/or AAP Betta Spa which both are also especially helpful for fish such as Bettas not kept in filtered aquariums.
Betta Spa is somewhat weak when it comes to essential mineral Cations, but includes Indian Almond Leaf Extract which can be very beneficial for bloating caused by Aeromonas (AAP Wonder Shells at 1/4 dose along with Betta Spa is an excellent combination)."



Carl

[Carl]

I've further updated the Fish Aeromonas/Vibrio article

Here is an excerpt:
"Treatments of Aeromonas in tropical freshwater aquariums include:
Pimafix AND Melafix (combined) but only for VERY MILD infections, especially mild wound infections (Melafix by itself is rarely effective on Aeromonas though since it is gram positive).

Nitrofurazone for more serious infections, which SHOULD be combined with Kanamycin for an even stronger combination treatment is generally my recommended default staring place for in tank or hospital tank treatment.
Best to use an already combined product such as AAP Spectrogram being a more synergistic combination of Kanamycin/Nitrofurazone and is easier to use and pharmaceutical grade too.
Neomycin is an excellent antibiotic when mixed with food that delivers medications internally to infections (although this is primarily a gram positive antibiotic, it is anaerobic in activity and it should be combined with a gram negative antibiotic such as Kanamycin for better results).

An alternative for Aeromonas infections is Doxycycline, which is the best, most wide spectrum product from the Tetracycline family

Triple Sulfa is also a medication worth considering, especially in cases of Septicemia (caused by Aeromonas or other pathogens).
Although not the strongest medication for serious cases of Aeromonas, Triple Sulfa is often effective for the red streaks found in fins even though the fish may be healing otherwise. A Triple Sulfa treatment for red streaks is often boosted with the addition of a medicated bath using Methylene Blue and salt with direct application of Methylene Blue to the affected area immediately prior to the bath.

When Aeromonas is the primary cause of fin & tail rot, your best choice is AAP Bettamax. This is a synergistic combination of Nitrofurazone, Sulfas and more. This is an especially good choice for long finned fish such as Bettas or guppies.
Another possible choice for Aeromonas that presents as fin & tail rot is AAP Maracyn Plus which is a synergistic combination of Sulfamethazine & Trimethoprim and can be an effective treatment. HOWEVER, do NOT use use if fish have large wounds or are suffering from septicemia as Trimethoprim can lower blood platelets and use can be fatal in fish already suffering from such issues."



Carl