Copperband Butterfly Fish acting odd?

WorldZY · May 1, 2022

Hi There! We have had our CBB for a little over a month now. Before I get started, Gill eats almost 2 clams a day or Mussels (out of Clams) and Mysis shrimp constantly. He is always swimming around and very agile. Lastly, our water levels are all spot on. Today I noticed the 2-3 white specs on him and assumed it was "ich" disease. It just was seen today and none of the other fish have it. Anyways I put some medicine in the water (why it looks a little cloudy) and I catch Gill doing this. I know "ich" can be itchy for fish and the way the water drops from the filter... it's as if Gill is relieving an itch from the drop.
Is this the case or should I be concerned of something more? I am monitoring Gill like a hawk and was just curious if anyone else has experienced a situation as such. Have a Great Day everyone and thank you for the messages in advance! <3

WorldZY · May 1, 2022

To elaborate. He swims around after a little bit, but comes right back and does this same thing.

Jay Hemdal · May 1, 2022

WorldZY said:
To elaborate. He swims around after a little bit, but comes right back and does this same thing.

what medication did you add?
the spots on the edges of the tail fin isnt ich, it is Lymphocytis, a non-fatal viral disease that will go away on its own in a few weeks. This fish could well have other issues, tough to see in the video.

jay

WorldZY · May 1, 2022

Sorry for the late reply, had to ask the Mrs. what she used in the tank. She said Kordon Natural Cure.

WorldZY · May 1, 2022

Jay Hemdal said:
what medication did you add?
the spots on the edges of the tail fin isnt ich, it is Lymphocytis, a non-fatal viral disease that will go away on its own in a few weeks. This fish could well have other issues, tough to see in the video.

jay

Oh Thank You! Good to know!! We will just keep an eye on it for Gill. Gill is very active and always is actively swimming around. The 1st time I saw him doing this and when I went to check on him again, he was swimming fine. Not really sure how to react to this lol

vetteguy53081 · May 1, 2022

Problem I see is this is not ich but typical on butterflies and large angel- Viral condition known as Lymphocystis. It is often associated with poor water quality and/or diet. While they love clam, clam and mysis is not a total complete needed diet.
Jay posed a good question as to what med you added and how much ?

You will want to add aeration with air stone and prepare water for a water change.
You indicated water is Spot On. What test kit are you using and what are your numbers for:
Ammonia
Nitrate
PH
salinity
temperature
Phosphate

Are you using RODI water or tap water from the faucet to mix your salt mix?
What is age of the tank?
What filter(s) are you using ?

Tamberav · May 1, 2022

In my experience, butterflies also get lympho when stressed (new to tank, bullies, etc) or in hyposalinity.

Did the odd behavior start after the medication?

vetteguy53081 · May 1, 2022

WorldZY said:
Sorry for the late reply, had to ask the Mrs. what she used in the tank. She said Kordon Natural Cure.

I think you meant Rapid cure which is for fresh and salt water and not very effective had it been ich which is malachite green and stains everything in the tank. I see you have what looks like a linkia starfish and this rapid cure is NOT invert safe deemed unsafe for all shrimp-crab-snails and starfish

vetteguy53081 · May 1, 2022

Tamberav said:
In my experience, butterflies also get lympho when stressed (new to tank, bullies, etc) or in hyposalinity.

Did the odd behavior start after the medication?

It should have as its malachite green and NOT invert safe and there is a starfish right in the video

WorldZY · May 1, 2022

We use RODI water. I am not completely sure of the brand test strips, but it does read off all the labels mentioned (Can get you the numbers 1st thing in the morning) The temperature is currently at 77.

The Tank is probably 4-5 months old I would say. Filters I would have to ask the Mrs.

It does seem it could be the diet though. I try to feed Gill Blood Worms (Not a fan), Clams, Mussels, and Mysis Shrimp. Is there other food suggestions to throw at Gill or should I just keep rotating the mix?

WorldZY · May 1, 2022

vetteguy53081 said:
I think you meant Rapid cure which is for fresh and salt water and not very effective had it been ich which is malachite green and stains everything in the tank. I see you have what looks like a linkia starfish and this rapid cure is NOT invert safe deemed unsafe for all shrimp-crab-snails and starfish

Yeah I noticed reading the bottle. Wasn't very pleased lol. We put our carbon back into the tank to get the medicine out.

WorldZY · May 1, 2022

Tamberav said:
In my experience, butterflies also get lympho when stressed (new to tank, bullies, etc) or in hyposalinity.

Did the odd behavior start after the medication?

No. It started a couple hours ago. Mrs. WorldZY was just being extra pre-cautious and clearly didn't read the label. Gill is always actively swimming and gets along with all our other fish.

WorldZY · May 1, 2022

Gill will do what he does in the video, take some laps, eat some clam, go back to the top. I am not sure if this is some weird game, but I do not know how to take this behavior.

vetteguy53081 · May 1, 2022

WorldZY said:
We use RODI water. I am not completely sure of the brand test strips, but it does read off all the labels mentioned (Can get you the numbers 1st thing in the morning) The temperature is currently at 77.

The Tank is probably 4-5 months old I would say. Filters I would have to ask the Mrs.

It does seem it could be the diet though. I try to feed Gill Blood Worms (Not a fan), Clams, Mussels, and Mysis Shrimp. Is there other food suggestions to throw at Gill or should I just keep rotating the mix?

Please Please PLEASE, tomorrow if you can, Take a good water sample to a trusted LFS that does NOT use Api test kits and have them test your: Ammonia-ph-nitrate=phosphate
Hate to say but the test strips are for freshwater also and are often Way off providing false readings.
I suspected something of this nature. Verify those readings so you can save your livestock.
Hanna and salifert are reliable kits. No sense buying $100 for fish and starfish and place your confidence on a $7 bottle of strips. At least you have a better clue on whats happening

vetteguy53081 · May 1, 2022

WorldZY said:
Gill will do what he does in the video, take some laps, eat some clam, go back to the top. I am not sure if this is some weird game, but I do not know how to take this behavior.

He seems to be gasping in video and a water change may help