Is this a new disease that's killing our fish?

[OMGomg]

My Betta had that i think so i didn't know what to do so i thought i would let it calm down a bit by turning the light and the filter off and letting just rest for a a few days. Then when i checked back up on him he was very active and the fins started to shape up again.

[1fish2fish]

Columnaris can have this type of tissue decay. I've seen it in my own fish. My guess would be fish exhibiting this blackening either have some form of columnaris or a very fast moving virus.

[emeraldsky]

Hey guys, came home today one one of my girls was dead, it happened in the span of 12 hours give or take, she was perfectly healthy when I left :/


It looks like whats going on with what described in the thread but the main reason im posting is because this girl wasnt blue, like at all.

She was green and red, so I dont know if she was a fluke or just never properly colored up, but I thought I would share it.

Her mouth/face was fuzzy too, like fungus and her whole back half is black, like with dead tissue.

[bhannon]

Im a biology student at Umass Dartmouth in MA. I just proposed the idea of a research project to a fish and genetic specialist at my school. Hope fully we can figure out what this is. I also plan on presenting the cases to an immunologist. If this gets approved the fish that have been affected could be sent to the school for my research. Ill let you know if the approval happens

[1fish2fish]

Edmeraldsky I'd be willing to bet that what your girl had was columnaris. It sounds EXACTLY like what killed my sorority and it too happened in the span of like 12 hours.

[emeraldsky]

Yea, it looks like it, shes the second girl out of the... 5 i think? Ive gotten from that petstore. 2 different shipments as well :/

The first girl didnt turn black though, like with the other ones so I posted a pic, just in case.

[Sakura8]

It's definitely a very strong possibility that what we've seen so far is an extremely fast-moving, aggressive columnaris. But there are also some forms of iridoviruses (sp?) that attack anabantids that exhibit the same symptoms.

[Bettas Rule]

Originally Posted by Sakura8

To get to the bottom of this mystery disease, I would be willing to chip in. I say if the next case happens near the west coast, ship to UC Davis. If it happens nearer to the east coast, ship it to whatever university/lab DarkMoon recommends. If it happens in the midwest, it's that person's call.

I have not had any issues with this disease, but I would be willing to chip on for the cause. Has anyone set up a paypal account or started a thread on it? Personally I think getting to the bottom of this is in all betta lovers best interest.

[Sakura8]

So far, no. No one has set up anything yet. I think we were all waiting to see if we even had another case. I wish there was a way to sticky a notice that says something about reporting sick fish with the symptoms mentioned. A lot of people don't realize they may have had a possible case until well after the fish has passed and been buried.

Thank you for helping out, Bettas Rule. :)

[Bettas Rule]

Originally Posted by Sakura8

So far, no. No one has set up anything yet. I think we were all waiting to see if we even had another case. I wish there was a way to sticky a notice that says something about reporting sick fish with the symptoms mentioned. A lot of people don't realize they may have had a possible case until well after the fish has passed and been buried.

Thank you for helping out, Bettas Rule. :)

No problem! If the situation present itself let me know so I can chip in!