My point with the different links is that there is verry little consensus of opinion, not that they were all correct.
Fish TB
May 13, 1997
Fish tuberculosis (TB) is something very similar to that which can infect humans. In Fact, there are several different types of TB causing bacteria in the same genus, including that which is known to cause TB in man.
The bacteria which causes fish TB is known as Mycobacteria marinum. Luckily, fish TB is not very contagious, and as a result, if symptoms are noticed early, it will not have an effect on the other life in the aquarium. Symptoms include the following:
loss of appetite
fish remains in seclusion and out of site
rapid breathing (respiration)
eyes appear to be cloudy or "popping out"
fish lies on its side near bottom of aquarium
stomach of fish appears to be sunken
whittish blotches on exterior
degraded and frayed fins
The fish can last for weeks with these symptoms, often allowing for detection and treatment before permanent effects are caused. Although this disease is not very contagious, it is a good idea to remove the fush from the main aquarium into a treatment tank. This disease slowly degrades the health of the fish by depositing small "tubercules" on many of the major internal organs of the fish.
Treatment of fish TB is rather difficult since it effects the internal portions of the fish. The best way to treat it is to prevent it by keeping a balanced diet for you fish, and making sure that the quality of the environment in your aquarium is good.
If you are unlucky enough to have to treat TB, the infected fish should be placed in a separate treatment tank. 40 grams per gallon of streptomycin and isoniazid, each, should be added to the treatment tank. Treatment can be increased by adding streptomycin to food. There are several other diseases which can be mistaken for fish TB. The best plan is to be overly careful. Monitor the fish closely, and check for the symptoms listed above. While treatment of this disease is possible, the best plan is to keep the quality of the fish's environment as clean as possible. This will reduce the chance of fish infection with TB, as well as decrease the chance that other bacterial and fungal sicknesses will overcome your fish.
And again from National Fish Pharmacueticals:
FISH DISEASE ARTICLES: MYCOBACTERIOSIS
Synonyms: Fish tuberculosis, piscine tuberculosis, acid-fast disease, granuloma disease.
Mycobacteriosis is worldwide in distribution. All fish species should be considered susceptible. Some are more susceptible than others, like gouramis, neon tetras, discus and labyrinth air breathers.
Clinical Signs:
Mycobacteriosis is a chronic progressive disease. It may take years for it to develop into a clinically apparent illness. Some signs to look out for include: Lethargy, anorexia, fin and scale loss, exopthalmia, emaciation, skin inflamation and ulceration, edema, peritonitis and nodules in muscles that may deform the fish.
Examinations usually reveal gray or white nodules in the liver, kidney, heart or spleen. There also may be skeletal deformities. Diagnosis is usually based on clinical signs and the presence of acid fast bacteria in tissue sections.
Mycobacteria are gram-positive, pleomorphic rods that are acid-fast and nonmotile. They form cream-colored to yellow colonies on solid media. It is suggested that transmission of this disease may be caused by contaminated food.
infection rates can be quite high in contaminated freshwater tropical fish production facilities. The aquatic environment is considered the reservoir.
Mycobacterium marinum has been cultured from swimming pools beaches natural streams estuaries tropical fish tanks and city tap water Human epidemics of granulomatous skin disease have occurred from swimming in infected water This mode of human infection is much more common than infection from exposure to infected tropical fish tanks. This disease will usually attack a sore or abrasion and be apparent about 2-3 weeks after exposure.
Treatment and Control:
Kanamycin + Vitamin B-6 for 30 days is the most effective treatment that we know of for tuberculosis. The fish should be quarantined during treatment time. Liquid baby vitamins found at your local pharmacy are a good source of vitamin B-6. One drop per every 5 gallons of aquarium water is sufficient. Replace the vitamins according to how much water is changed in the tank during treatment time.
Overcrowding and poor water quality are usually the cause of this disease.
Be careful, this disease may spread to humans.
Best Regards,
Dr. Gary Aukes; Pharm D, Dr. Brian Aukes; PhD., and the staff of National Fish Pharmaceuticals.
National Fish Pharmacueticals
The treatments in both of these articles are easily obtainable in the States.
Of course it is not about arguing. It is about answers. But these fish antibiotics are available in the States, and the fish can get the disease from sources other than eating dead fish.
There are cases I have repeatedly read where something diagnosed as fish tb was cured.
I agree completely, scooterchick, that good husbandry at this point is the best treatment, short of a vet, that IG can do. My primary position through this whole thing is that there is so far no reliable diagnosis, and it is just lots of guesses, most of which are unlikely, in my opinion.
