Butterfly with Velvet (the aftermath)

[lilchris_357]

I recently purchased a longnose butterfly. Put him in QT and observed for a week or so before I started my normal QT protocol of TTM. Bam after a week of observation he was dusted w/white spots. So I immediately started copper treatment using copper safe. He has been in copper at Therapeutic levels for about 8 days and no white dusty spots (velvet) on him but he does have what appears to sores from the parasites. He’s back to normal, swimming around and eating like a champ. I still have him in copper. What should I do about the sores? Should I put him in Ruby Rally reef bath or should I use metroplex? Here are some pics of the sores.

 

[Big G]

Probably lympho. A bit hard to tell as the pics are a bit blurry on this end. A bath in RRR would be a good first step, then observe.

 

[4FordFamily]

Probably lympho. A bit hard to tell as the pics are a bit blurry on this end. A bath in RRR would be a good first step, then observe.

Agree. Butterflies and angels get lympho frequently, particularly after meds or after illness. It in and of itself, it is almost never deadly.

 

[lilchris_357]

So just keep the water a clean as possible and it will cure itself? I’m just fearful a bacterial infection will occur.

 

[Big G]

Pristine water quality. Highest quality food: LRS or make your own fish "smoothie" with frozen fish cubes: mysis, chopped clams, cyclops, seaweed, reef mix, etc. Take one of each and place into a tupperware. Let the cubes "slump" and then pour off excess liquid. Add some vitamin. Zoecon is formulated to help fish like angels and butterflies to supplement for missing sponges, and other natural foods they feed upon. The mix will stay good for several days in your fridge.
But as far as bacterial infections goes, it's always a good idea for reefers with angels, butterflies, tangs, to keep NFG powder on hand. It works wonders on those "red sores" that these types of fish develop.

 

[lilchris_357]

What’s NFG powder?

 

[Big G]

Nitrofuracine Green powder. You can buy it on the web. It's amazing how good it works on the fish I listed above. It seems to work much quicker and with better results. Amazing.
An alternative is to use the "trifecta" of Kanaplex + Furan2 + Metro.

 

[lilchris_357]

NFG is expensive but i'm assuming worth it. I have the other "Trifecta" meds on hand so I'm going to use those. Can they be used while I'm running copper?

 

[lilchris_357]

I also have access to Ruby Rally would that work as well or not so much

 

[ngoodermuth]

Yes and yes. You can do a 90-minute rally bath in a separate container, followed by the trifecta. You can do the trifecta with copper, just make sure you have lots and lots of 02. If you can, space out each medication by a couple of hours to reduce stress, but if that’s not possible I’ve dosed all at once without significant duress.

I should add as a disclaimer, it is more difficult for a fish to overcome infection in the presence of copper. It’s an immunosuppressant. So, being proactive and starting antibiotics sooner along with the antiseptic bath definitely gives you a leg-up if you suspect infection might settle in.

 

[lilchris_357]

Will this medication work in place of Furan 2?

 

[Big G]

Will this medication work in place of Furan 2?

Erythromycin usually is only effective on gram positive infections. Furan2 is a wide spectrum antibiotic that will work on both gram positive and gram negative. So Furan2's appeal is it will work on a much wider variety of trouble causing bacteria.

Erythromycin works great on eye infections on saltwater fish.