Copper & Cloudy Eyes. Related?

[bevo5]

I posted about a month ago about a purple tang with a cloudy eye during copper power treatment. I lowered the level a bit, and did a bunch of water changes (witch treated water) and it all cleared up. I also did one FW dip, and two weeks later ran it through prazi - but by the time the eye was long clear.

I've got another batch in QT now....and I just started raising copper levels. I got to 1.2 over about 3.5 days. Just noticed my small majestic angel has slightly cloudy eyes. Otherwise fine - eating and out swimming. Nothing on the body that raises any red flags to me.

I immediately did a good size water change and I'm going to do another good size change as soon as some salt mixes.

I'm not going to add copper to the water - so I'm taking the levels back down. Once the eye is sorted I'll try again, slower.

Question - is it common to see copper stress manifest as cloudy eyes?

Should I do a FW dip and prazi? It's both eyes. Not sure if that means anything.

Could this simply be because of less-than-awesome water conditions? I had been pumping food in there to fatten everyone up, so it could be an issue.

Thanks all.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

What are current water parameters? Copper does impact the immune system negatively so they are more susceptible to bacterial infections and such. Keeping water quality goes a long way during QT with copper.

 

[bevo5]

Hi - thank you. I was delayed so I could get the levels.

Ammonia - clear.
Nitrite - clear.
Nitrate - pretty elevated. 20+
Salinity 1.022

He's out and about and eating just fine. I tried to get some pictures but they're not great - and I had just stirred up a bunch of junk with a water change...which doesn't help.

I have Prazi if they look like flukes and I can try a FW dip? I have Furan-2 on hand as well as Metro and copper. I can get Maracyn easily enough though?

My plan for now is just lots of small water changes to keep the water clean.

 

[bevo5]

And 100% just specs in the water - he isn't showing any signs of ich/velvet (knock on wood).

 

[bevo5]

Friendly bump for any opinion/advice. Thanks all.

 

[Big G]

Both eyes cloudy usually is symptomatic of a bacterial eye infection. Would recommend the freshwater dip to see if eye flukes are the primary cause of the infection or eliminate it as the cause. Most likely though is the copper suppressing the fish's immune system.

If no flukes, treat with both high quality foods + vitamins ( I prefer Beta Glucan) and antibiotics. For eye infections erythromycin aka Maracyn (not Maracyn 2) is the preferred med.

 

[bevo5]

Got it. Thank you. I'm feeding high quality food and I'll start adding Selcon.

I can't seem to find Maracyn I. Would Furan 2 do it?

 

[Big G]

Furan2 is a great antibiotic, but erythromycin is best.

Here's one of my sources: http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquatronics.html#myacin

 

[bevo5]

Got it. Thank you.

I ordered the Myacin but I imagine that's a week away. So would Furan 2 potentially be OK to use? As in - it's at least a right treatment?

If so - I'm going to proceed with this plan I guess:
-Focus on water quality/vitamins for today & tomorrow
-If nothing changes - FW dip
-Use the Furan 2

 

[bevo5]

I went ahead and did a FW bath and for the first time ever, I think I saw flukes flying off the angel. About 2.5 minutes in it looked like the top layer flew off his eyes - and he's definitely got some blotchy spots. I assume it leaves a bit of a mark when they fly off?

The eyes aren't 100% clear after it - is that normal, or possibly a sign that maybe it wasn't flukes? I went ahead and dosed prazi because it sure seemed like things were popping off him.

 

[Big G]

Great news! Yes, they will leave marks, the nasty little critters, but will heal with some love and good food + vitamins. But the attachment points can lead to a bacterial infection. So watching carefully is the plan and have the meds ready.