Vibrio in marine aquarium fish
Carlrs
VIBRIO:
Vibrio
is a lactose-fermenting, anaerobic, gram-negative bacteria. It is
slightly curved and rod shaped, and is an opportunistic pathogen, found
in saltwater/marine or brackish environments. This organism causes wound
infections, gastroenteritis, and is a common cause of “hemorrhagic
septicemia” (see the picture below in the Aeromonas section for
Septicemia) where the microorganism enters the blood stream, resulting
in septic shock, rapidly followed by death in many cases (about 50% of
infections).
A common symptom in marine fish and brackish fish is red patches or red
streaked fins, especially in Yellow Tangs and Marine Angels.
Kanamycin can be effective in the high pH applications where Vibrio is usually present.
Even better is a combination treatment of Kanamycin with Nitrofurazone
found in AAP Spectrogram which is a much more synergistic/effective
combination than treating separately with each product.
Another older but useful antimicrobial for treatment of Vibrio is Triple Sulfa and it also is effective in high pH environments.
Pimafix and a tea made Usnea Lichen are natural treatments that have shown some effectiveness for Vibrio, but is often a weak treatment at best so only mild cases should be treated this way.
Treatment of wounds with Methylene Blue or Hydrogen Peroxide or a 30 minute double dose "Fish Bath" with Methylene Blue OR Potassium Permanganate is also useful in treatment of Vibrio.
See our TREATMENTS SECTION for more.
Recommended Product Resources that support the hobby AND this FREE information:
*AAP Spectrogram (Premium Nitrofurazone/Kanamycin Sulfate Combo)
*AAP Kanamycin/Kanaplex
*AAP Triple Sulfa
*AAP Pimafix