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Mycobacteria

60K views 213 replies 39 participants last post by  FishTankExpert 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
In light of the recent posts, and all the misinformation on the web and floating around in this forum, let me set a few records straight.

Mycos is nothing to be considered lightly. I have been in regular conversation with fish pathologists for almost a year now, and it is a very serious disease and in most of the fish available at your local pet shop. Their guess is 70% of the TRADE. That means ALL fish. You need to read the article I have created at the link below, and take it very serious, as it is based on the research of people that look at mycos for a living:



I have friends that have dealt or are dealing with this. FROM ONE FREAKING FISH I destroyed 3 years of work, over 500 bettas in one afternoon. I could not even enter my fish room for days. I dealt with fin rot, lesions, lifted gill plates, dropsy and the list goes on. I finally contacted a fish pathologist and sent THIRTY fish representing every tank or system I had. The ones with lesions tested positive for mycos right off the lesions they presented.

ALL were diced up and tested and ALL tested positive for mycos. Fish from 30 days to 9 months of age. It was recommended I send more fish to the leading researcher in mycobacteria here in the US to determine the strain. They were unable to grow the bacteria to determine what strain I was dealing with and was told that is not unusual for many mycos strains. It took DNA to determine what I had. My results and currently what many betta breeders are dealing with is M. Triplex. Thats right.. something you have NOT heard of. Google it. And you will find it shows up in people.

If you read the article I posted you will see there are different types of mycos. Some move fast and others a bit slower. But the end result is THERE IS NO CURE and THE FISH WILL DIE. Some mycos can be managed as there is no way to completely eradicate it. But you destroy the pathogenic ones and manage water conditions to reduce affect of the others.

I was told Lysol will kill it. Not knowing there were different Lysols I ran a major heavy solution through my barracks for TWO WEEKS. I drained that down, ran water through it a few days, drained it down and ran a super concentrated bleach solution through another TWO WEEKS. I brought the system back online and put some of my most promising fish in the barracks and EACH ONE CAME DOWN WITH THE DISEASE AGAIN! The ones still in the tank never got it. So DO NOT tell me you can bleach or use vinegar on this. DO NOT tell me it is not that serious.

So once again I have had to destroy some absolutely beautiful fish. More discussion with the pathologists and we found I did not use a proper cleaner. I sure as heck do now. EVERYTHING.., nets, hoses, tanks, lights water test vials.. EVERYTHING gets hit with the anti TB chemical after EVERY use. My trash cans for water are broken down and sprayed every few weeks. Even my hands between tanks. I set a timer as there has to be 5 minutes contact time. I refuse to destroy any more fish. I have clean stock now and I am going to keep it that way.

In the meantime. My recommendations.. for all it is worth..

Get a hold of a local vet or go online and get something that will kill TB. The article I linked to has a link to chemicals that will kill mycobacteria. Treat EVERYTHING in your fish room no matter how small. And treat any tank with it when you break it down... sick fish or not. Keep the stuff on hand and act like it is ever present to get a foothold in your fish room. Practice good bio-security and you should prevent it or get rid of it. If you have sick fish - destroy them, nuke everything and start fresh being more careful.
 
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#2 ·
Yeah I agree. If it is mycobacteria it is best to cull. There's no 'giving them a chance' as there is no cure for it and it is inevitably fatal. Seen a few rainbowfish breeders run into issues with it and have to euthanise entire tanks full of fish, even the seemingly healthy ones.

It can also be transmitted to humans and cause potentially serious problems. That alone for me would be enough to make me not want to have any infected fish in my fish room.
 
#5 ·
pictures please.. but this crap is going around. and as often as you buy and sell fish.. doubt you take any precautions.. good chance you have it. best to act like you do and take steps to get rid of it.
 
#6 ·
and who ever you bred him too has been exposed not to mention the fry will have it if the parents do. or at least a huge chance of having it. Go read those articles...
 
#7 ·
Okay. Not sure what it is as both o the females I've bred him to and the fry are okay. I really havnt taken precautions TBH I just havnt shared any water, no net sharing. Nothing that has come in contact with him has come in contact with others since I noticed the symptoms.. I'll get a pic soon. Could it be a less contagious and less harmful strain of Myco?
 
#8 ·
Could it be a less contagious and less harmful strain of Myco?
no such thing.. there are some that can be managed.. but they do not present like you are saying. Keep him separate and get a disinfectant that kills mycos. And use it. If you don't have it .. it will KEEP you from getting it. Lot of people dealing with this.. and just look at some of the recent .. my fish is sick.. photos. Mycos. Best to err on the side of caution..
 
#10 ·
This is very important information that needs to be circulated BUT there are a few caveats that I want to add.

First, the majority of people on the forum don't have fish rooms or extensive (and expensive) breeding operations. For these people, the risk of contagion between fish is obviously minimal, especially if they have just the one fish.

Secondly, without the same necropsy/autopsy tests and tissue samples, it is impossible to know what a sick fish at a pet store may have. Saying that is has mycobacterium without these tests is irresponsible.* Many people have purchased sick fish and successfully nursed them back to health, myself included. I think a lot of people would agree that many of the sick fish at a pet store are suffering from poor water conditions, not myco. Therefore, I won't condone discouraging people from buying sick fish if they want to attempt to nurse them back to health. The people who do this do so knowing full-well the fish is sick and knowing full-well it may die. The vast majority of people are not ignorantly buying sick fish. As long as people practice sanitary fishkeeping and avoid contamination, go for it.

Thirdly, this needs to be made clear: mycobacteria is the same bacteria that causes fish tuberculosis. HOWEVER, just because a fish is diagnosed with mycobacteria doesn't mean the fish has fish TB. The fish we have seen on the forum who have been affected do not exhibit the same symptoms as TB.

Now that I've said that, again I want to say the information included is informative and well-put.


* Strictly speaking, yes, every fish has some small amount of mycobacterium, just as every fish has some small amount of every bacteria present. What I'm referring to is a potentially lethal outbreak of myco.
 
#13 ·
The problem is we CURRENTLY have a strain that is VERY in the betta fish population. I saw it in petco and petsmart in several locations where I live. I watched it move though my fish room. It needs to be destroyed. It is VERY difficult to have it over here and keep it from getting over there.

If you see the lesions you probably have m. triplex. If you have the fuzz and it doe not respond to columnaris type meds.. again.. mycos. You can go blindly down a path that MAY be destructive or you may actually take some precautions.

Again.. if you have it.. it will live on your counters where you set your net, in your drains where you dump water.. in your tanks, gravel, snails.. I had mystery snails that just died for no reason. Cut them open and guess what... mycos granulomas. And if a sick fish in a cup is worth the risk.. knock your socks off. But for some this ACCURATE information will be heeded and they will reduce exposure or get rid of the crap. Even if one fish.. and it has mycos.. they still have it when they get the new fish without proper chemical to kill the stuff. Guess they can just use vinegar. Wonder why the scientist did not think of cleaning with vinegar and just adding some salt to the water.
 
#11 ·
First off, I highly doubt you're going to get a thread stickied that is so unobjective.. saying things like people should stop bringing home sick pet store bettas (most are sick due to poor conditions they're kept in and they do NOT all have this condition like you seem to want to imply).

Calling people names like foolish..

Telling people to kill all their sick fish is just.. really? Don't answer that. It was rhetorical.

Second, it is treatable. It's very very hard to treat and sorry you have not had any luck but there are successful cases.

All I'll say in the matter but I really hope people read this thread objectively and not buy into the mass hysteria it seems aimed at creating.
And you know MORE than the research pathologists that work on this disease?? Read the research papers attached to my article in bettasource. I is NOT ME but THEM that say there is no cure. It is what people that are researching the disease tell fish FARMS to do. Don't you think if there WAS a cure they would not tell people whos income depends on fish to KILL EVERYTHING? Where are your credentials or sources that say it IS curable? And they had better be scientist. I discussed AT LENGTH with Dr Whipps the misinformation on the web. You can take to warning and be careful.. or you can just live with the stuff.
 
#160 ·
I don't use a barracks (although the lab in FL that I used said it was actually a healthier way to go). I have had to completely nuke my entire HOUSE. All my domestic betta (including my up and coming show fish), my newly acquired RARE wild betta and the 21 fry. My 10 yr old Peacock Endler colony, my 5 yr old Black Bar Endler. My new Red Cherry Shrimp colony. All my plants that don't like to be nuked...some I can't replace as the are ILLEGAL to ship in/into the state of Texas. My 75g community tank, my 55g community tank, my 5g Killi tank, my new OB Peacock Cichlid. Lets see...have I missed anything. And Why??? because I didn't know I had it and didn't clean my nets/buckets/hoses properly.

Let me tell you guys...I am sick to my stomach over having to kill all these fish. There is no cure...especially once they start showing signs. I pray to God that you guys don't ever go through what we have had to go through. I used a totally separate lab then what BB used. I got the same diagnosis as Mycos. I don't have $100s to have the strain that I had diagnosed.
 
#14 ·
No matter who writes a paper, that paper still only represents one person's point of view. It's important to read a variety of material on a subject in order to get a balanced perspective.

Let's calm down and stop the hysteria. As I said in a different thread, there's no need to start a panic over an epidemic that may not be occuring. As many of my fish disease books point out, a lot of diseases mimic each other.

The bottom line is, even though I and other members do our best to knowledgeably diagnose other people's ill fish, our diagnoses are still almost always informed guesses. There can be no positive diagnosis for bacterial infections without expensive and complicated tests. Therefore, we can no more concretely say a fish has columnaris than we can say it has myco because we have no proof.

If there continues to be further heated debate, this thread will have to be closed and/or removed. Since it does contain good information, let's try not to have that happen.
 
#162 ·
No matter who writes a paper, that paper still only represents one person's point of view. It's important to read a variety of material on a subject in order to get a balanced perspective.
The lab I used (Deborah..Department Manager) did a google search during the time of our first phone conversation, and our 2nd conversation. She said she could not believe the amount of BAD information out there. Mycos is NOT TB. TB is reserved for Human Tuberculosis. It is in the same family (cell structure). The "point of view" that needs to be read is from labs that actually deal with this stuff.
 
#15 · (Edited)
In nine years of fishkeeping, a 2 years of breeding, I have never seen a lethal case of myco/TB. IN fact, I have never seen a case at all. Most fish deaths and illnesses can widely be attributed more to poor ownership than a rare bacterial infection.

Mycobacteria are bacteria of the genus Mycobacterium that are widely distributed in nature. Only a few species of mycobacteria are pathogenic. For example, M. tuberculosis causes tuberculosis and M. leprae causes leprosy in humans. Other mycobacteria, such as M. marinum, M. fortuitum, M. chelonae, and the recently discovered M. chesapeakii and M. shotsii, can cause mycobacteriosis in fish. Mycobacteriosis is a chronic wasting disease in fish caused by infection with mycobacteria. Infected fish may be appear thin and sluggish. Other external signs, such as areas of redenning, fin rot, popeye and ulcers, may or may not be present. Internally, mycobacteriosis can cause white to grayish nodules called granulomas, primarily in the spleen, kidney and liver. Mycobacteria are slow growing, so it may take months to years for the disease to become clinical and cause problems to the fish. The immune system of healthy fish can fight off infection from most invading bacteria. However, stress can weaken the immune system and allow bacteria, including mycobacteria, to cause an infection. Stress can be caused by poor water quality, suboptimal nutrition, excessive handling and other disease entities. Bacterial infections can also occur when the immune system is overwhelmed by the number of invading bacteria, such as could occur at the site of an open wound. Infections are associated with persons coming in contact with infected water or fish. Persons most susceptible include those who are immuno-compromised and/or have open skin cuts or sores. Reports in the medical literature usually call these infections ‘swimming pool granuloma’ or ‘fish handler’s disease.’ Mycobacterium marinum is the most common aquatic species of mycobacteria that can be pathogenic to humans. Infection may appear as reddish bumps or nodules on extremities. Generally this infection will not spread throughout the body because the temperature of the trunk of the human body is usually too high for mycobacteria to thrive. The infection can usually be treated with a long duration antibiotic regime. (http://mybay.umd.edu/mycobacteria.html)

Mycobacterium marinum (M. marinum) is a slow-growing atypical bacteria that is commonly found in bodies of fresh or saltwater in many parts of the world. Skin infections with Mycobacterium marinum in humans are overall relatively uncommon and are usually acquired from contact with aquariums or fish. Most infections occur following skin exposure to the bacteria through a small cut or skin scrape. The first signs of infection with M. marinum include a reddish or tan skin bump called a granuloma. Less commonly, a string or batch of the small reddish bumps crop up on the exposed body area in a classic pattern called sporotrichotic lymphangitis.
It is somewhat rare to acquire this infection from well-maintained swimming pools because of protection afforded by proper chlorination. Mycobacterium marinum does not typically grow at normal body temperature. That is why it remains localized to the cooler skin surface. Overall, diagnosis and treatment of this unusual skin infection is often delayed because of a lack of suspicion for this atypical mycobacterial versus more common bacteria like Staphylococcus. (http://www.medicinenet.com/mycobacterium_marinum/article.htm)


SO IN SHORT, IF YOU TREAT YOUR TANK LIKE CARP AND DONT LEAN IT AND HAVE STRESSED FISH, YOU REALLY NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THIS DISEASE.
 
#21 ·
In nine years of fishkeeping, a 2 years of breeding, I have never seen a lethal case of myco/TB. IN fact, I have never seen a case at all. Most fish deaths and illnesses can widely be attributed more to poor ownership than a rare bacterial infection.
And I agree.. but there is this becoming a problem in many places. This is a warning to be careful and make sure the proper product is used to get rid of it or keep it out of your fish.
 
#16 ·
I did read that article but I have to say, I'm confused. How can you tell if a fish is infected? How long does it stick around for before killing a fish? Since it seems like this mycobacteria causes every symptom under the sun that are common symptoms of other ailments, how do you know how many fish actually have it if they aren't all sent to labs?
It's how common? Sorry, I just don't understand all the scientific words and such.
 
#17 ·
That is what all of my disease books say, Dieses. Bacteria is ever present in our tanks but it's stressful factors like poor water quality that cause fish to succumb to that bacteria.

EDIT: Ayala, really, the only concrete way to tell if a fish is infected is to cut it open and search for the granulomas inside. Obviously, the fish has to be dead for this. Otherwise, there is no way to positively identify this disease just from looking.
 
#18 ·
Callistra, BasementBettas makes a very good point that unless your sources are research scientists, your point is completely invalid. And a fish with uncureable (yes, some strains are completely uncurable. Research scientists, not me.) mycobacterium should be euthanized regardless of what your heart says because one fishes death is well worth preventing a hundreds. and this thread is not aimed at creating mass hysteria, it is aimed at informing people about that disease that destroyed BasementBetta's fish. BasementBetta has scientists and many, many, many years of experience to back her up, you have the Internet and three fish. Well said BasementBettas.
 
#19 ·
I don't think it's actually that rare. I know it can a problem with rainbowfish. I think because sometimes the way it presents can differ from fish to fish, people may not be able to make a correct diagnosis. Some fish can be outwardly healthy but still infected.

I think this is probably one of the more knowledgeable posts on a disease I have seen on this forum. Some of the posts on this section of the board have made me cringe with the amount of misinformation in them.

Also I don't believe in fish that TB is treatable. If it was people would not be euthanising tanks full of expensive and rare fish.
 
#22 ·
It is not to freak out.. but to make sure you are practicing good bio security in your own fish room and make sure you are aware of the signs. Not everyone can send fish to a lab. So how is the average Joe to even begin to consider this if all they hear is resistant so and so. It IS real and as such need to have correct information out so people can make INFORMED decisions.
 
#23 ·
probelm is bettas and Z-fish are more susceptible than others. And the major supplier of bettas to the shops has it. It is in most fish I see in my local area and they come from same place. Just be careful.
 
#27 ·
Their guess is 70% of the TRADE. That means ALL fish.
If 70% or 100% fish in the trade have this (because I guess it's the same thing apparently) then there's nothing we can do, there's no clean stock, one of those papers said it's even difficult for scientists to get Myco-free stock, why bother? You'll get a fish that will die in a few hours, or you'll get one that will die in a year. If every fish is going to die of Myco then there's nothing we can do. Killing fish and replacing them with more fish with Myco? I don't quite get it.
 
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#28 ·
+++++++1
I was just thinking this same exact thing
 
#32 ·
Don't be. With good maintenance, chances are slim that a new fish will kill your stock. If you are worried, have a quarantine tank ready for any stock you buy.
 
#31 ·
There are different strains. Some can be managed. Others can not. You eradicate the bad ones and the good care manages the good one. When opened most fish will show the mycos. But not be riddled with a strain that is killing them off.

And do the research on this DiesesMadchen. Fish carry and shed this without letting on they have it. When they do show signs.. often months later.. it is too late.

It takes a lab to determine if you have this. And even more lab work.. mine down to dna analysis.. to determine the STRAIN. Each is different. Google m triplex and see what they symptoms are compared to other strains. This triplex is what is showing up and it is a death sentence. it is not quick. Fish go months with this getting progressively worse. Not everyone has lab access so this is just a tool to use when all else fails. Get the proper TB killer if you set on a path to eradicate it or prevent it.

Again.. this is information from phd's that study this particular disease. Look up Dr Chris Whipps.. and read his papers. There are a few others.. but he is a leading researcher in the field and the source of what I have shared.

Some will heed and be careful. Some will try all kinds of meds before finally going this route,. And others will just keep on. To each his own. Now there is some other info besides add salt and all will be better in time.
 
#37 ·
No offense, but I prefer not to go off the misrepresented meanderings of a PhD, as it is usually the undergraduates doing the work for them. People working towards a degree doing research to get out of school. I work closely with a lot of PhDs and debunk a lot of what they say. I stated my credentials before. I AM a lab technologist and my research is pure when it comes to bacterial/viral infection. I do have a slight semblance of information that I put out. But I would like to know, besides google, what research you have done. Then you compare it to what I do for a living.
 
#34 ·
Oh, good lord, what a thread! There is a lot of good info in this thread. I just wish we could discuss it without everyone getting freaked out and flooding us with reports.
Well, with language like this:
THERE IS NO CURE and THE FISH WILL DIE
in a forum full of young people it is bound to get a little scary and heated.
 
#40 ·
Well, with language like this: in a forum full of young people it is bound to get a little scary and heated.
It is the truth. It is made to call attention to it and any posts saying to use such and such are totally false. If there WAS a cure the major fish farms would have it as would the research facilities. in humans it takes 6-9 months of several drugs to get rid of it. Just isnt happening with fish. I was told I might be able to get the human drugs .. but research has not cured it. All the meds do is slow down the progression. And my drug tests proved that as well. I got some improvement only to see a rapid decline and death.

No need to take my word for ANY of this. PLEASE do the research and see if what I have shared is not proved correct by common and recent research.
 
#46 ·
This is what I am getting from this thread.

Quarantine. Yeah I do that. But then some who have it won't show symptoms until months later, so really, how is QTing helping? Then, if 70% of fish are affected, anyone who has more than one fish has a very high chance of having an infected fish. Also, most people on this forum don't have the money to buy separate things for all their fish. I sure don't have the money for 5 vacuums, 5 test kits, 5 EVERYTHING for my 5 fish. And also, most people don't have something to disinfect that will actually kill it. So chances are, if you have one infected fish, all of your fish have been exposed. It can kill in days or months or years, and you really don't know if they have it until after they are dead. Are we running in circles, here?

I am probably jinxing myself, but I have owned 6 bettas in my life and the first one died from jumping out of the tank... Not disease. I still have the other five. All the symptoms listed make it sound like my VT has it... But then again, it could be anything and he also is getting old. So the only way for me to know if he does have it is if he dies. And in any case, all my other fish have been exposed because I only have vinegar and bleach.

There seems to be no solution, and I read this entire thread and the link. Everything points to another "what if" but not really any fool-proof solution.
 
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