LACONIC LIMNOLOGY By Andrew Boyd
TFH magazine March 1992 contains an article on Columnaris bacteria. This nasty little beast causes fin rot and mouth fungus. It is very sensitive to salt - five parts per thousand will kill it off.
Society member John Fleuren was saying the other day that ACT tap water, while it is very soft, actually contains high levels of phosphates. These phosphates are a major cause of excess algae in home aquaria, and are harmful to fishes. He puts the water for his tanks through a Reverse Osmosis unit, which removes most of the impurities, Including phosphates and chlorine. RO is all the go in American discus hatcheries at the moment, so there must be something to it.
TFH magazine April 1993 has the start of a column by a vet, Erik L. Johnston, titled "Your Fishes' Health" which contains some very good advice for all of us. The part I found most interesting was that most fish deaths are caused by poor or unsuitable water conditions, yet are blamed on parasites or diseases. I am sure that this advice will save many lives. This is a very responsible inclusion by the staff of TFH, and I can recommend that members should read this column.