Fish TB (Mycobacterium marinum) is a slow-progressing bacterial infection that causes weight loss, bone deformities, ulcers. Zoonotic - can infect humans through skin cuts. Almost always fatal.
Mycobacterium marinum bacteria. Chronic infection from contaminated tankmates or substrate. Long incubation (months).
Always treat in a separate quarantine tank. Most medications are toxic to coral, invertebrates, and live rock biology.
Quarantine + don't reuse substrate from infected tanks + sterilize equipment with bleach. Wear gloves when handling sick fish.
Browse the full disease database for 45 aquarium conditions with treatment protocols, or check the care library for prevention-focused husbandry guides. Use our symptom matcher to rank likely diseases from observed signs, the water parameter checker to diagnose related water-quality issues, or the QT timeline calculator to plan a treatment schedule.