TB in Fish, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

[Carl]

In light of the many questions about Fish TB at Everything Aquatic as well as in my emails, phone calls, and discussions with others; I have updated the "TB in Fish, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis" article with more information, commentary, and a new picture.

Hopefully this will help some with diagnosis, prevention, and treatment (which often sadly fails) of this disease.

Carl

[goldenpuon]

Thanks for updating and adding the part about mistaken diagnosis in aging fish. That is very helpful (as I incorrectly thought my goldfish had it before you corrected me).

Renee

[Carl]

I have updated the "Aquarium & Pond Answers" article about Fish TB/Tuberculoisis

The layout was updated as well as more information and resources were added

Here is a quote:
"Another myth about Fish TB, especially since it seems to have become the aquarium fish disease "De Jour" (disease of the day), is its transmission.
Based on emails, phone calls and discussions with my maintenance friends, you would think every fish that is sick now suddenly has this disease.
While it certainly seems to be more common and virulent as per confirmed cases, it is NOT commonly present in an aquarium (unlike Aeromonas, Columnaris, or Pseudomonas bacterium).
So in the case of fish that have been living in an aquarium for months and often years without any outside exposure to other fish, the facts are it is impossible for the fish to suddenly come down with a Mycobacterium infection!
Usually this false diagnosis with no history of possible exposure is simply the result of a simply weak or old fish showing symptoms that are often common to Fish Mycobacterium (TB)."

Reference:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2012/04/tb-in-fish-mycobacterium-tuberculosis.html


Carl

[endlercollector]

Thanks for the article! TB and columnaris have together been the bane of my life, and I've had several tanks wiped out over the years. I did a months-long treatment with two antibiotics on a TB tank, but only 50% of the fish survived the ordeal. I'm hoping that the UV sterilizers I'm getting will do the trick for my latest bout.

[Carl]

Keep in mind that many diagnosis of Fish TB often prove to be incorrect as per the article.

Whereas Columnaris is Much more common, but takes different treatments

Carl

[Carl]

I have updated the "Aquarium/Pond Answers" article about Tuberculosis in fish

Here is a snip:
"A final consideration that might be helpful, in particular if the diagnosis is INCORRECT (which is common), is the use of Medicated Wonder Shells. These address many aspects of fish health, including problems that are simply symptoms of fish old age and not any disease in particular.
While a Medicated Wonder Shell is not a strong treatment for any particular disease, these are helpful as both follow up treatments and mild treatments that also address essential water parameters that might be out of balance (such as Redox)."

Reference:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2012/04/tb-in-fish-mycobacterium-tuberculosis.html

Carl