Names: Fin and Tail Rot
Disease Type: Gram-negative bacterial infection
Cause/Organism: Pathogens including Flexibacter columnaris, Nocardia, Mycobacterium and Pseudomonas species
Description
Fin and Tail Rot is one of the most common and most preventable diseases of aquarium fish. Fin and Tail Rot is caused by several types of gram-negative bacteria and often occurs simultaneously with other diseases. Fin and Tail Rot can be difficult to cure, especially in the more advanced stages. If left untreated, it will eventually kill the diseased fish and infect all other fish in the aquarium.
Fin and Tail Rot is always environmental in nature and brought on by poor water conditions. Fish stress is also a contributing factor in Fin and Tail Rot. When fish are handled, moved, subjected to overcrowding or housed with more aggressive fish, they are more susceptible to Fin and Tail Rot.
Mardel Maracyn® 2 is the treatment of choice for gram-negative bacterial infections. It should be used according to the recommended dosage. BacterShield is an herbal alternative that contains natural oils and extracts that have been proven effective against fungal and bacterial infections.
Mardel Maracyn® 2 powder is a broad-spectrum antibiotic (minocycline) developed for use in aquariums. Due to its unique properties, it is absorbed by the fish through the skin. During the prescribed treatment, the concentration of minocycline in the fish fluids rises to a therapeutic level and is available to fight systemic infections susceptible to its action. It is primarily effective against gram-negative pathogenic organisms. Internal diseases are more difficult to detect than external ones and early detection is almost impossible.
As with any treatment, activated carbon should be removed from the filter as it will remove the drugs from the water.
Add Bactershield whenever adding new fish to the aquarium to prevent bacterial infection outbreaks.
Fin and Tail Rot is one of the most preventable diseases in aquarium fish. The root cause of Fin Rot is always poor water conditions, but fish stress is also a contributing factor. When fish are handled, moved, subjected to overcrowding or housed with more aggressive fish, they are more susceptible to Fin and Tail Rot. If left untreated, it will eventually kill the diseased fish and infect all the other fish in the tank as well.