Are sunburst anthias sensitive to copper?

tnc112105 · Aug 11, 2020

Reading mixed reports on whether I should treat my sunburst (fathead) anthias prophylactically with copper. Is this species sensitive to copper? Was thinking to use copper power, but then I read that at therapeutic dosage (2.5) this species sometimes stops eating and then starts to fade.

The fish are currently not showing no outward signs of disease and eating moderately well. Been in QT for 10 days. Dosed 1x with Prazi on Day 3. Was thinking to start copper today but would prefer to confer with the experts on this one. Would hate to kill them (especially since this is my most expensive fish purchase ever!), but would hate even more to spread disease to my favorite fish in the display.

Thanks in advance.

dragon99 · Aug 11, 2020

Go slow and you should be OK.

Difficult Fish to QT guide

** This information was originally posted here: https://humble.fish/community/index.php?threads/difficult-fish-to-qt-guide.56/ ** Below is a list of difficult fish to quarantine, with specific recommendations on QT strategies for each group of fish. Angelfish (and their sensitivity to copper)...

www.reef2reef.com

QT strategy: Dose Metronidazole ASAP, but raise copper very slowly (4-5 days) when treating anthias. If they are eating, soak their food with metronidazole for 10-14 days. Seachem Focus can be used to bind the medication to the food. If your anthias stops eating after raising the copper level, do a water change to lower it until the fish resumes eating. Most anthias species have a high metabolism and need to be fed at least 3 times per day.

Due to their sensitivity to meds, anthias are also perfect candidates for Black Molly QT: Black Molly Quarantine