Ornamental Fish Q&A 03

This question was provided by Manson Publishing as part of the OVAL Project. See more Ornamental Fish Q&A.

Several recently imported koi are showing extensive damage to their tails.

Question	Answer		Article
What disease is affecting the tail and peduncle of this fish?	Columnaris disease (tail rot, peduncle disease).		Link to Article
What pathogen is involved?	This disease is caused by infection with Flexibacter columnaris.		Link to Article
What factors may have contributed to this problem?	Factors that predispose fish to this disease include stress from transportation, overcrowding, poor water quality, poor nutrition, underlying parasitic or fungal infection, physical injury from netting, and high bacterial loading of the water from diseased fish.		Link to Article