Anthias died. Sailfin breathing heavy

[Nstocks]

I have and this worked int he DT but he seems to not want to eat anything

 

[Nstocks]

So the tang has started to eat again, both mysis and some nori, but today I noticed he has more white spots on each side of his head (similar to the one posted earlier). He's also chasing the Anthias out the plastic cave thats in the hospital tank.

Breathing is still very laboured.

 

[Nstocks]

So far the fish have been doing well but after observing them this morning it appears that one of the Anthias is having laboured breathing and possibly has some internal damage around the gills?

The video compares the fish that looks healthy and well and the one that isn't doing so good, there is a little squabbling.

It's been 16 days at 0.5 with Cupramine. Do I wait it out until the 3 week mark? Tang is much darker in colour and is often swimming into the powerhead (could be a sign of velvet)

 

[Humblefish]

@Nstocks When you say "internal damage around the gills", are you seeing redness near the gills?

 

[Nstocks]

The mouth looks like it's gaping somewhat and there's a very slight discolouration near the gills. It almost looks like the fish has swam into the glass and bruised? But the heavy breathing is a concern.

 

[Humblefish]

@Nstocks Have you tested for ammonia recently? You can use a Seachem ammonia alert badge or being you are treating with Cupramine, the Seachem ammonia test kit should work as well.

 

[Nstocks]

I have a ammonia alert and test weekly for ammonia which is zero. There's an air stone and powerhead pointing at the water surface so I don't think oxygen is an issue.

 

[Nstocks]

I just tested for ammonia again, zero. The fish is has now lodged itself near one of the heaters, 'sitting' on the base of the tank breathing very rapidly.

Going to get a batch of new saltwater mixed just incase I remove it

 

[Humblefish]

@Nstocks Have you done a FW dip to check for flukes?

Also, double check your Cu level in case he’s having difficulty with that. Bring it down a little if you’re near the high end of therapeutic.

Just trying to think of all the different things which might be impacting his gills negatively.

 

[Nstocks]

I haven't a FW dip since the first time before copper, around 8 weeks ago.

It's another 2 full weeks until 30 days, I'm at 0.5mgl which is right in the middle of therapeutic dosage (0.2mgl is minimum) and since 14 days has passed, perhaps better to bring it down anyway?

Would it be safer to drop Cu by approx.half but still therapeutic, or do a FW dip immediately?

 

[Humblefish]

@Nstocks Therapeutic range for Cupramine is 0.4 - 0.5 mg/L. When I asked Seachem to provide data showing Cupramine was effective at a concentration below that, they were unable to do so.

 

[Nstocks]

Oh So not really any point lowering the dose!

Hmmm. Perhaps a FW dip and see what comes out, if anything. I assume all fish would need dipping, unless I want for copper to be over and use Prazi pro for flukes?

 

[Humblefish]

Perhaps a FW dip and see what comes out, if anything. I assume all fish would need dipping, unless I want for copper to be over and use Prazi pro for flukes?

You can try a 5 min FW dip on one of the fish to see if anything comes out of the gills, but odds are they are clean of flukes if you did a FW dip previously (and saw nothing.)

 

[Nstocks]

I was just about to do FW dip and found that part of the operculum (?) has eroded and has possible pop eye

 

[Humblefish]

@Nstocks That fish looks bad. Did the FW dip yield anything? If not, I think I would remove all the copper because he might be struggling with that.

If he's been in therapeutic copper for at least 10 days and you can transfer him into another (non-medicated) QT (at least 10 feet away), that would be ideal. Transfer nothing but the fish, and DO NOT lower the Cu level prior to transferring.

 

[Nstocks]

I haven't FW dipped yet, I wasn't sure if it would provide relief or straight up kill the fish.

I'm setting up another tank for this fish and see how he goes. I just hope the Anthias clan don't panic because two females have now gone!

 

[Nstocks]

I've put him in a separate tank, no copper.

I doubt he'll make it through the night, a few scales fell off too Is this going to be a case of Russian roulette every time I try to medicate new fish?!

 

[Nstocks]

Dead.

Finrot too?

 

[Nstocks]

Next worry is the tang still has white salt grain like dots around the area, very hard to see so can't photograph.

 

[Humblefish]

The fin/tail rot suggests a secondary infection might have been in play here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bacterial-infections.191511/

Is what you are seeing on the tang look like ich or velvet? Photos please.