Panda cory deaths; columnaris?

Hey guys,
This is the second panda cory who seemed to have died very suddenly of this.
One day they are fine, swimming, shoaling, eating, no clamped fins, just happy fish.
Then I notice one small white fuzzy bump on their bodies. The first one was near his rear dorsal fin, the second right in the middle of his left side.
Both times they died within 12h after being transfered to the quarantine tank. Both times they were treated with half a dose of Kanaplex.
The tank is 20G running for a year. Specs are stable. Heavily planted. No other fish in the community have died or showed signs of disease except the two panda corys (out of 5).
Is this columnaris? Are corys more sensitive to fungal infection? What can I do to make sure the rest of the crew don't suffer the same fate?
Thanks

 

Hi,

From what you are describing, it does sound a lot like columnaris. There are four strains that I know about - two kill very quickly while the other two can take days.

Usually the recommended meds include something like kanaplex along with some form of nitrofurazone. I think it takes both of them. I think that nitrofurazone comes in powder form.

The bacteria really likes warm temps, so if you can, you can try turning the heat down to about 74 degrees or so. It is also aerobic bacteria, so it likes oxygen, a lot. Increasing oxygen can have the opposite effect of what you want.

It affects fish that are stressed or have weak immune systems. I am not sure what your entire stocking is, or what your water change schedule it like, but you might want to start doing some frequent water chages...like maybe every other day, for a little while.

Here's an article written by a Fishlore member that might help....

Columnaris Symptoms And Treatment | Freshwater Fish Disease and Health Forum

Hope this helps a little!!!!

 

Hi,

From what you are describing, it does sound a lot like columnaris. There are four strains that I know about - two kill very quickly while the other two can take days.

Usually the recommended meds include something like kanaplex along with some form of nitrofurazone. I think it takes both of them. I think that nitrofurazone comes in powder form.

The bacteria really likes warm temps, so if you can, you can try turning the heat down to about 74 degrees or so. It is also aerobic bacteria, so it likes oxygen, a lot. Increasing oxygen can have the opposite effect of what you want.

It affects fish that are stressed or have weak immune systems. I am not sure what your entire stocking is, or what your water change schedule it like, but you might want to start doing some frequent water chages...like maybe every other day, for a little while.

Here's an article written by a Fishlore member that might help....

Columnaris Symptoms And Treatment | Freshwater Fish Disease and Health Forum

Hope this helps a little!!!!

Kanaplex was useless both times
And the quarantine tank is lower temp. None of my other fish (gouramis and neons) have had any symptoms or died.
Here's a picture of the first one that died and the fuzzy white growth.

 

I'm beginning to think that kanaplex is becoming one of those antibiotics that have been so over used in the hobby that it is no longer effective, unfortunately. Seems like it is the one that everybody goes to for every possible bacterial issue, both internal and external.

I do think that columnaris will show up behind the dorsal fin.

You could try doing some methylene blue baths. It can help with the fungal side of things...one ml of methylene blue to one gallon of treated, heated tank water in a clean container or bucket. They can stay in the bath for 30 minutes.

I would really stay on top of water changes for a while, too, maybe doing some small changes every other day, just to make sure the water is pristine.

 

I'm beginning to think that kanaplex is becoming one of those antibiotics that have been so over used in the hobby that it is no longer effective, unfortunately. Seems like it is the one that everybody goes to for every possible bacterial issue, both internal and external.

I do think that columnaris will show up behind the dorsal fin.

You could try doing some methylene blue baths. It can help with the fungal side of things...one ml of methylene blue to one gallon of treated, heated tank water in a clean container or bucket. They can stay in the bath for 30 minutes.

I would really stay on top of water changes for a while, too, maybe doing some small changes every other day, just to make sure the water is pristine.

Both corys had passed by the time I wrote this post I'm trying to see if there's anything preventive I can do except the water changes.
Mind you both these corys looked a little bit weaker than the rest when I got them. But it's a community tank so I don't want to treat the whole tank and lose my BB or kill my plants (it's at least 60% planted).
Just at a bit of a loss as to why, you know.

 

It looks more fungal to me maybe.

panda corys like lower temps so depending on your other stocking that’s something you can look into.

Regular water changes will likely be beneficial. You can add some leaves too, like some Indian almond leaves.

It could very likely be the photo angle , but are the corys barbels damaged ? Is the substrate rough at all ?

I hope your little guys get better soon