New member looking for help with research (long)

[fljones3]

Frank, I think the best one s are the one that are not secured by suction cups. Every case I ever saw, was one where they were using suction cups, The fish gets wedged against the tank wall and heater, usually when they dart or are asleep. I usually lay them on the tank floor to avoid it.

al

Thanks Al.
Mine have cups but they are just laying on the bottom. Completely movable.

[Megalodon]

Looks more like Aeromonas than Columnaris.

[Tkuilderd]

Megalodon, that is a very good answer, I wish I had had this answer months ago. After I sent the fish off for necropsy, it was recommended that I read up on this. I saw the resemblance immediately and now that the necropsy is back we have had confirmation.
This wound was caused by aeromonas salmonicida. It was first thought that it might have been aeromonas hydrophila, as that is the tropical strain, however the fact that, in none of the cases I have seen was there a complete loss in the tanks. All cases it was 1 fish. If it had been hydrophila it would have spread into the entire system.
Salmonicida prefers cold water, in a tropical tank it would need the fish to be under stress in order to get a foothold with the fish.
Unfortunately once the disease has begun, it is fatal.
It is unlikely that I will see this again in my tanks and it is the same for the others who have seen it. In order to keep it from spreading further, any fish who show symptoms should be removed from the system and euthanized, this will keep it from spreading to other fish in the tank.

Thanks for your time.

Tammy

[bluelagoon]

Thanks for the up date. Nice to know.