Bacterial infection killed fish at Alexandria Zoo
Last Modified: Monday, August 20, 2012 2:09 PM
ALEXANDRIA (AP) — Officials say a highly contagious bacterial infection called Columnaris disease killed 600 fish at the Alexandria Zoo.
The Town Talk report the spread of the disease likely was caused by the summer heat, which caused the water temperature in the fish pond to rise to more than 80 degrees, coupled with a heavy rainstorm that passed through the area.
Most fish are susceptible to the disease, and they are more likely to get it after they have experienced some type of environmental stress and when the water rises to the upper level of their preferred body temperature.
Zoo keepers discovered the problem Aug. 6. Dozens of fish had already been affected, and within 48 hours the zoo had lost all of its koi and carp population, roughly 600 fish.
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