copperband very unwell

[Aaronreef]

Hello everyone

Unfortunately I purchased a copperband a few days ago.
After a freshwater dip I discovered flukes
Along with some damaged fins
Two days into owning him his health has drastically deteriorated
He is not rotting away and I don't think I can save him
He is currently in QT with myxaim in the water but think he is too far gone for any recovery

 

[WIReefer]

I’m sorry to hear this, Is he eating at all?

 

[Aaronreef]

I’m sorry to hear this, Is he eating at all?

Not really I've been adding live pods but not sure if he is really interested in them
Don't think I'll be able to save him

 

[WIReefer]

Not really I've been adding live pods but not sure if he is really interested in them
Don't think I'll be able to save him

Try feeding live black worms

 

[Aaronreef]

Try feeding live black worms

I don't have anywhere local that does black worm
Best I get find is blood worm but I believe they are for tropical fish

 

[proxy001]

I don't have anywhere local that does black worm
Best I get find is blood worm but I believe they are for tropical fish

blood word can work or grated frozen clams. But your fish needs the right meds STAT

 

[Aaronreef]

I've got frozen clams, Will pick some blood worm up tomorrow

I believe myxaim is the best meds currently?
Should I be using something else

 

[ReefHog]

Definitely looks like a bad bacterial infection. Not sure what myxaim is. I’m no expert by any means but I’ve seen this before and the best course of action would be NFG powder ASAP. If not available then Kanaplex + Furan-2 + Metroplex is your next best option.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hello everyone

Unfortunately I purchased a copperband a few days ago.
After a freshwater dip I discovered flukes
Along with some damaged fins
Two days into owning him his health has drastically deteriorated
He is not rotting away and I don't think I can save him
He is currently in QT with myxaim in the water but think he is too far gone for any recovery

That lesion could be bacterial, Uronema, or both in combination. The trouble is that the fish Is going to have difficulty maintaining proper osmotic balance with that much open skin. I’m sorry, but. don’t think you will be able to save it. Copperbands are delicate. I always get the ones from Australia , and if they have any thinness, or fin damage, I take a hard pass.
Jay

 

[Aaronreef]

Sadly he hasn't made it

Appreciate all the help and advice

 

[Tamberav]

Sadly he hasn't made it

Appreciate all the help and advice

If you try again I would culture white worms.. I don't think mine ever shown much interest in pods. They have long snouts to get at the worms and clams and such on the rocks. The first thing mine did was eat all the tiny feather dusters on my rock.

White worms can be grown yourself in dirt with some bread and you can buy them online.

They are prone to infections and such so a NFG dip upon immediate purchase is a good idea.

 

[ReefHog]

don’t beat yourself up. Bacterial infections are very common with CBBs. If you don’t get a healthy one from the beginning, it’s an up hill battle.

 

[Aaronreef]

I know it's not completely my fault
I'd really like to keep a copperband I know they aren't easy but people do have success

Is there a way to tell of its Australian

 

[Yas]

That lesion could be bacterial, Uronema, or both in combination. The trouble is that the fish Is going to have difficulty maintaining proper osmotic balance with that much open skin. I’m sorry, but. don’t think you will be able to save it. Copperbands are delicate. I always get the ones from Australia , and if they have any thinness, or fin damage, I take a hard pass.
Jay

Totally agree. The one I currently keep is from Australia. The one I failed before was from Indonesia. I think Aussie CBB is easier. Your fish store should be able to tell you where it is from.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I know it's not completely my fault
I'd really like to keep a copperband I know they aren't easy but people do have success

Is there a way to tell of its Australian

You'll need to rely on your dealer in terms of knowing a fish's origin. Australian CBB are more expensive (of course). That can lead to some unscrupulous dealers saying the fish is an Aussie, when it isn't. This doesn't even have to happen at the retail level - it is common for the fish to be misnamed along the supply chain and then sold to your dealer under that guise. Chelmon marginalis is a hardier species, and is only collected in Australia. Hard to find though.

Jay

 

[vetteguy53081]

It is hemorrhaging and needs care quickly. Melafix would help but issue may be far beyond that. Water quality will be important especially ammonia and nitrate levels along with temperature, salinity and oxygen

 

[ReefHog]

For difficult fish like the CBB, I would only buy locally so I can see him in person. Make sure he is eating and has clean fins and no red sores. Then have your meds (NFG powder might be the best to have on hand) and variety of foods (clams, live blackworms, mysis and brine shrimp) ready before you bring him home as things can go south very quickly. If you plan on prophylactically treating with copper, CP or TTM, make sure he is eating and acting normal before starting. Have your QT water match the water he came from. I prefer to QT more than one fish at a time as I believe they feel less shy and are less skittish.