Big G thanks for the colour chard advise, but the colours are still not working for me, I can tell for sure that it is at least 4.5 and not more than 5.5
Day 4 update on Achilles,
Still alive.
Not eating, upright but not active.
Local petstore opens in one hour.
Need some advise please.
Going to purchase the Ruby Reef Rally.
Possible Seachem Kanaplex?., can it be used with the copper?
Should i try it?
Do freshwater dip first for 5 min? (or not)
How long do I left him in the Ruby Reef solution? (or not, just freshwater dip, or both)
I am just thinking all of this might stress him out even more and kill him?
Thanks again...
Tough decision time for you. I know the fish is weak. But it needs to be treated.
A 5 min dip and then immediately into the Ruby Reef Rally bath would be good as the fw will force off more parasites and then the bath will treat it with the antibiotic and antiseptic help it needs. So you have a choice, depending on how you see your fish's condition do the FW and bath, or just the bath if you think he is too weak for the FW dip.
And yes, the Kanaplex can be used with copper. But at great risk. Here's a posting by Humblefish on that exact situation:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-bacterial-infection-predicament.310311/#post-3816129
If it was my fish, I'd put it into the RRR bath and then observe for awhile before dosing Kanaplex.
Here's Humblefish's acriflavine treatment advisory:
Acriflavine: This is an antiseptic that is very useful for rendering “first aid” if a fish has a bacterial infection or to treat an open wound. It can also be used as part of a “three step program” for treating Marine Velvet Disease: 5 minute freshwater dip, 75-90 minute acriflavine bath, and then prolonged exposure to copper or Chloroquine phosphate in a Quarantine Tank (
QT).
There is also some anecdotal evidence that a 75-90 minute acriflavine bath, followed by transfer into a sterile Quarantine Tank can clear Brooklynella aka clownfish disease. However, until more research is done it is recommended to follow up the acriflavine bath by treating with metronidazole in the Quarantine Tank.
How To Treat – At present time there are two products on the market which contain acriflavine (dosage information below). Use either in a 75-90 minute bath, temperature controlling the water and providing plenty of aeration by using an air pump & air-stone. Ensure salinity, pH and temperature of bath & QT water match perfectly.
Acriflavine-MS: Add 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons of water.
Ruby Reef Rally: Add 1 ounce per 10 gallons of water. This breaks down to roughly 2/3 teaspoon of Rally per gallon if using less than 10 gallons.
Pros – Effective “pre-treatment” before fish is placed in QT with copper, antibiotics, etc.; milder/safer alternative to using formalin.
Cons/Side Effects – Turns the water an orange-brownish color, so probably not desirable for Quarantine or Display Tank use. Full range of positive effects and possible side effects are not completely understood at this time.
