LFS suggests Potassium Permanganate dip, I am dreading having to catch the
fish in my heavily planted tank.

There are many commercial treatments for columnaris, which is a bacterial
disease, even though it looks like fungus. You could try an antibiotic like
Maracyn, erythromycin, tetracycline, etc. You can just dissolve it in the
tank, but be aware that it may affect your biological filter. Do it fast if
you're going to do it, because this disease can spread and kill very quickly.

Columnaris generally indicates that something is wrong with your tank. Too
crowded, not enough oxygen, too warm, bad water quality, etc.





Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/