Flexibacter Columnaris
Flexibacter Columnaris
Flexibacter Columnaris Disease in Freshwater Tropical Aquarium Fish is one of the most frequent encountered
Below is the format overview we follow and how we present the information.
UPDATED: July 6, 2026
Identification
Can be all, any number, or only one of from the list:
Small white spots on nose, edges of scales and fins.
As the spots grow, they look like mold, then fungus over.
Fins start to disintegrate, leaving just rays.
Rapid Breathing, hanging at the surface.
Gills filaments swell, mucus / slime over, stick together, disintegrate.
This cuts the oxygen supply and they suffocate.
CLASS
Bacterial Gram -
Reproduction
Beyond comprehension, cellular division and can swim and it swarms upon death of the host.
Causes
Elevated temperatures
Overcrowding.
Open wounds.
Poor water Quality and poor husbandry foster the outbreak.
The fish are at risk from starvation, malnutrition, improper diet, incomplete diet, cold, stress from transport, unsanitary condition in the tank that burden their processes.
Treatments
Acriflavine treatments upon arrival.
Chloramphenicol and Acriflavine combination is usually done immediately up on diagnosis, just n case its #2.
Tetracycline and Neomycin and TSP with a dose of PJS ICHKIL on the side has worked for me.
Observations, Notes, Remarks
Columnaris crosses the line with me, it has characteristics of a Protozoa with its action, how it presents its symptoms. I always put PJS ICHKIL in with the antibiotic on this one, really seems to get it taken care off then,
This is a Flexibacter and is pure evil, there are two strains
One is the white areas just keep growing and the fish die in a few days.
Two is the white spots spread out very rapidly in hours on the host, then with in 48-72 hours every living fish is dead.
Higher temps accelerate its reproduction.