The deadly Vibrio

[Mrscribbled]

I recently encountered what IMO is the fastest, deadliest disease found in marine fishes. Without a microscope I was unable to identify which strain it was exactly. Vibrio is a Gram-Negative bacterial infection. Extreme caution must be used when handling infected fish, since it can be transferred to humans and is often fatal.
Thursday morning the fish appeared fine. By that evening the fish showed some redness, at that time Nitrofurican Green and Furan-2 were dosed. The next morning the fish was dead. The best chance for treating the infection is upon first signs, to apply hydrogen peroxide to the infection sites, followed by an aggressive Gram-Negative antibiotic. Triple Sulfa may be a bit better choice than Furan-2 in this case.

Thursday evening photo. Note just the redness.


The following morning




This bacteria appears to be a flesh eater. Extremely fast killing. Two other fish are left in the QT and were treated early enough and doing well with treatment so far. A french angle and solon fairy wrasse. This just shows how important QT is and often the most deadly less common diseases are overlooked and often not prepared for.

 

[Deinonych]

Wow. Amazing how devastating the bacterium is. Thanks for sharing!

 

[snorvich]

I suggest using gloves . . . I have never seen this in person.

 

[tidalwave1]

+1 on the gloves

 

[Mrscribbled]

Yes gloves would be wise....

 

[Fishfirst]

I've seen hundreds of these cases. I think you are inflating the chances of getting infected. I use furan and bio bandage with some success. It seems to hit Pomicanthids the most, followed by Cirrilabrus and tangs. Freshwater dips and formalin may also help.

 

[Mrscribbled]

Formalin on an open wound? Absolutely not.

 

[Alberta-newb]

Had a similar experience, fine then red blotch turning to open wound and death within 8 hours

 

[Fishfirst]

Formalin on an open wound? Absolutely not.

Removed~dc
Have I used formalin with fish that had open wounds ? yes hundreds of times. Have those fish made full recoveries? In many cases yes. I am constantly trying new things and push the envelope.

I had a conspicuous Angel one time with a nasty infection just like the Angel below. I had used the above combinations daily on that fish and it made a full recovery, just like many before it.

Disregarding a method without actually doing it first is a tough place for progress in the fish business.

 

[Mrscribbled]

There are many treatment options for many things. Each to there own, I'm not going to put formaldehyde in an open wound of any animal regardless of of someone telling me to do so. Other options are available.

 

[Fishfirst]

Who said I put it in the open wound? I dosed it in the aquarium.

 

[dc]

Ok, let's tone it down a notch.

 

[Rea17]

Well this looks awfully familiar











This regal went downhill very quickly too. I treated with antibiotics as soon as the redness started to appear (Furan-2 is what I had on hand) but it was just too late. I did a full treatment after the death of the regal on the QT tankmate, but I'm still a little nervous about that fish. If the fish isn't symptomatic, would you agree that it's safe? This just goes to show, no matter how reputable your source, quarantine is not optional!!

 

[Mrscribbled]

FWIW there is no disguise with this bacteria. If the fish is fine after treatment, I'd say it's good. Nasty stuff this is for sure.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Were these new fish in QT or were they established fish? Are there any symptoms or signs prior to the redness?

 

[Mrscribbled]

New fish in QT, hit the one week mark. All I noticed was the redness. The key is to get hydrogen peroxide on the red areas right away.

 

[sniceley]

I had good luck with this on some semilarvatus using enrofloxacin (Baytril) that I bought in bulk. IME fish respond very quickly to this antibiotic.

 

[Mrscribbled]

Ah, yes baytril. I use it on the farm for calves. Very aggressive antibiotic. Will look into it, thanks.

 

[Spyderturbo007]

Extreme caution must be used when handling infected fish, since it can be transferred to humans and is often fatal.

I'm confused because right after saying this I see pictures of the fish in your bare hand? :hmm2:

 

[Mrscribbled]

I'm confused because right after saying this I see pictures of the fish in your bare hand? :hmm2:

Yeah, the way this bacteria can infect humans is through ingestion. I didn't have any cuts on my hand, and washed well afterwards. But yes gloves should be warn.