Fish TB--what do sdo about tank

[Bob Stafford]

Hi--I have a fish that may have TB--open red sores on body--some bleeding--red spots underneath--but
bloated--losing scales--I have isolated him in a hosptital tank--and will try to treat him--my
question is about the other fish in my community tank--can they be affected--can I protect against
the spread of TB in my community tank? How?

Thanks

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Fish TB--what do sdo about tank
>From: (Bob Stafford)
>Date: 9/20/2003 7:15 PM Central Daylight Time
>Message-id: >
>
>Hi--I have a fish that may have TB--open red sores on body--some
>bleeding--red spots underneath--but
>bloated--losing scales--I have isolated him in a hosptital tank--and will try
>to treat him--my
>question is about the other fish in my community tank--can they be
>affected--can I protect against
>the spread of TB in my community tank? How?
>
>Thanks
>

Too sad!
Fish TB is a pretty nasty, fairly common..and often mistaken for something
else, because it's symptoms mimic many other diseases.
Some fish in the tank may show totally different symtpoms, yet all are
suffering from the TB bacteria.
Some fish can be carriers, showing no symptoms at all. Somtimes it simply needs
a trigger to become active TB.
When you know that you have a fish/s showing TB symptoms, you must assume all
fish in that tank are now infected, and also any other tanks that you have used
the same net/feeding supplies, even your wet hand going from tank to tank.
It's highly contagious and will most likely end up being the demise of the
fish.
Many carriers can live long lives..never showing symtpoms. However, they can
spread it to non-infected fish.
Having fish TB in your tank/s is quite a burden. The only way to get it 100%
out of the tanks is by either bleaching or replacing.
Fish showing severe symptoms should be humanely euthanized.
If your fish are only showing the open lesions....you might want to consider
sending in a fish to be tested for TB. There is a test, as a fish buddy of mine
recently had it done beause he suspected TB. Sadly, it was, and is now losing
his beloved Bettas one by one to it.
If you see only the lesions, I recommend testing because there is one other
disease out there (have no idea of the name, sorry!), that the symptoms are
ulcers (open lesions) and can be cured (I think I'm remembering this
right..it's been years).
I've gone through TB myself with my Angelfish. Lost a couple breeding pairs of
lovely jet blacks. It's heart breaking, and hard work. I feel for ya.