The name derives from the way in which the organism grows in rhizoid columnar formations.

[2] The species was first described by Davis (1922), and the name was validated by Bernardet and Grimont (1989).

Flavobacterium columnare is one of the oldest known diseases among warm-water fish, and manifests itself as an infection commonly known as columnaris.

Infections are the second leading cause of mortality in pond raised catfish in the southeastern United States.

[4] Early treatment with potassium permanganate has been shown to increase survival rate, although the difference was not statistically significant.