Aluminum, Copper, and fish

[Myka]

Hi Randy (and others who may be able to help),

I know high aluminum levels have been associated with coral irritation, but what about fish? Are fish affected? If so, what sort of level starts to affect the fish? Also, would high levels of aluminum be a problem in a tank where therapeutic copper levels are present?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Mjrenz]

Hi Randy (and others who may be able to help),

I know high aluminum levels have been associated with coral irritation, but what about fish? Are fish affected? If so, what sort of level starts to affect the fish? Also, would high levels of aluminum be a problem in a tank where therapeutic copper levels are present?

Thanks for any help!

Maybe @Frtdrmrose7 @ngoodermuth @HotRocks could provide some insight as to how it may affect fish?

 

[HotRocks]

Maybe @Frtdrmrose7 @ngoodermuth @HotRocks could provide some insight as to how it may affect fish?

In general trace amounts of aluminum are not toxic to fish. Super high levels of aluminum in the water or corroding aluminum in a marine tank may cause respiratory dysfunction.

 

[Myka]

In general trace amounts of aluminum are not toxic to fish. Super high levels of aluminum in the water or corroding aluminum in a marine tank may cause respiratory dysfunction.

Could you define "super high"? I assume 200 μm/L is not "super high", but rather "high"?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I've not seen any studies on aluminum tox in marine fish, just freshwater ones, so I have no idea what level is toxic or how the presence of copper impacts it.