It could be Mycoplasma or it could be another species of bacteria, or possibly a virus, very hard to tell. However, one symptom that is usually present with Mycoplasma is the red staining around the eyes and nose. Sometimes bedding can be irritating to rats but usually not. Lack of oxygen in an aquarium is not going to be an issue. Most domestic rats in the U.S. carry the Mycoplasma organism, and most are not adversely affected by it. It is very host species specific and the strain that affects rats will not pass on to other rodent species, snakes, or humans. It is very difficult to eliminate and even many laboratory colonies have carriers. Mycoplasma is transmitted mainly by direct contact as the organism has very short term viability outside of the host body. Your best bet may be to cull the obviously sick rats and just continue the colony on with the asymptomatic individuals.

Kelly

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