Dead Flamehawk with White Spots Behind its Eye

[Hugh Mann]

My Flame hawkfish had been acting odd the last week, breathing rapidly, and jamming itself under its usual perch sideways. This morning I found it dead, and examining its body, I noticed a white patch behind one of its eyes, not present of the other side. Not sure if it’s related to its death or not, but I can't for the life of me figure out what killed it, as the cleaner wrasse and marine betta seem just fine.

Week 5 of Chelated Copper treatment for Velvet at 2ppm (Hanna)
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 60, was much higher, been working to lower it, but only have so much coppersafe left, being Canadian it's hard to find.
Temp 75

Any ideas what may have killed this poor guy?

 

[Big G]

Probably a bacterial infection. The copper suppresses the fish's immune system sometimes to the point where a fish can be quickly overwhelmed.
Sorry for your loss

 

[Hugh Mann]

I didn't know that about copper, but that's what I was thinking. Secondary infection from the velvet wounds or something. It is very sad indeed, made even worse as the copper treatment is almost over too.

 

[Big G]

I didn't know that about copper, but that's what I was thinking. Secondary infection from the velvet wounds or something. It is very sad indeed, made even worse as the copper treatment is almost over too.

Because of this happening somewhat frequently, many will dose antibiotics during the copper treatment. Spectrogram is very good product for doing just that and with excellent results.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Canadian, fish antibiotics are next to impossible to acquire. As with most other medications. A real pain in the butt.

 

[Big G]

Try boosting the fish's immune system with Beta Glucan. Mix food + Beta Glucan + Focus (or gelatin, or agar) to bind everything together. BG is used by the commercial fish raising industry for human consumption. Very safe. My wife and I take too.

 

[Zionas]

Taking note of Beta Glucan. How do I mix it with fish food? Can I apply Beta Glucan, Selcon, and Aqua Forest V all at once?

Also, should I be feeding food soaked in these supplements every feeding or just once / twice a week?

 

[Big G]

I'd rotate the list you posted above unless you are treating a fish with a specific condition.

I mix the Beta Glucan with food and Focus with a bit of water to the consistency I like.

The Focus comes with a little scoop. One scoop of Focus, one half capsule of Beta Glucan, 7-8 frozen fish cubes that have been "slumped" (thawed in the fridge) with the excess liquid poured/strained off (the liquid will spike your phosphates and nitrates), all mixed together plus a bit of RODI to the consistency you like to work with. The mix will stay good in the fridge for a few days. Fish love it.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Thanks. I'll have to source me some of that. Shouldn't be too difficult to find or order online. Keep my survivors happy and healthy.