Blue Hippo Still Flashing After Copper

[Colin Fowler]

I have a Blue Hippo Tang who had Ich. I put him in QT with Copper. It’s been a month with Copper. He looks great, very active, no indication of Ich, and he eats voraciously. However, he is still flashing/scratching on love rock. Thoughts on what to do next?

 

[lilchris_357]

Did you have the copper at theraputic levels for the full 30 days? I mean no drop in levels at all for 30 days. If you did a water change did you add copper to the new salt water before you put it back in the tank? If your copper levels dropped below theraputic , it will restart your clock.

 

[Cment]

Did you have the copper at theraputic levels for the full 30 days? I mean no drop in levels at all for 30 days. If you did a water change did you add copper to the new salt water before you put it back in the tank? If your copper levels dropped below theraputic , it will restart your clock.

If you are 100% sure your copper levels never dropped it may just be the areas healing, so this is normal and a little scratching is ok. I would observe for the next 2-3 weeks after the copper is removed just to be safe.

 

[reefproaquatics]

Any sign of flukes? Might be worth hitting the fish with prazi while it's in QT. In any case I'd continue the copper TX a bit longer. If he is flashing there must be a reason.

 

[Colin Fowler]

Thanks all. No signs of anything. He looks great. I was diligent to keep the copper at thereputic level every day. I tested daily and I added copper to the water change and tested it to make sure it was correct before adding. I think I will give him PraziPro as well, but hopefully it’s just healing maybe. My plan is to keep in QT till September 1st so still have e time for more monitoring and medication if needed.

 

[Big G]

Consider General Cure instead of PraziPro. GC has both prazi & metro, so you are prophylactically treating for both internal (worms) and external (flukes). Plus the dosage of prazi is a bit lower (PraziPro's dosage is a bit high as listed on the bottle) and is easier on the fish.

 

[HotRocks]

It could be flukes as well. 5min FW dip to confirm, or a prophylactic treatment of praziquantel isn't a bad idea either.

Flashing/scratching after 30 days in copper shouldn't be happening, at least from parasites that are treated with copper.

 

[Colin Fowler]

Thanks guys. Much appreciated. I’ll pick up both so I have them.

 

[Colin Fowler]

A quick update. Followed everyone’s advise and used API General cure, and it worked. He has not scratched/flashed in days when previously he was doing it frequently every day. Thanks!