Emperor angel - white patches (need identification)

[hairyashell]

Hi all,

I have this juvenile emperor in QT with other fishes now. Started to have this white patches on the body. Currently running copper power at 2.5ppm. Anyone can identify if this is a disease that needs immediate treatment?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi all,

I have this juvenile emperor in QT with other fishes now. Started to have this white patches on the body. Currently running copper power at 2.5ppm. Anyone can identify if this is a disease that needs immediate treatment?

Is the angel still eating?
Have you tried giving it a freshwater dip?

My first inclination is flukes, but the angel's eyes don't look cloudy and they usually do with flukes.

Jay

 

[hairyashell]

Is the angel still eating?
Have you tried giving it a freshwater dip?

My first inclination is flukes, but the angel's eyes don't look cloudy and they usually do with flukes.

Jay

Yes, it's eating and active so I was wondering if it's really a parasite or some bacterial infection. Havent done a freshwater dip. I was planning to run API General Cure after copper. Should I run General Cure with copper?

 

[moz71]

Just went though this with my juvenile emperor. Bacterial infection. If you don’t treat asap will loose him. Flukes could have started it but it was the bacteria infection that did him in. Kanaplex in water actually started working and healing but I messed up and stopped to treat for flukes which in hindsight didn’t think that was it.

 

[moz71]

You are going to see rapid tail and fin rot as that tail looked exactly like mine. Hope you save him!!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Yes, it's eating and active so I was wondering if it's really a parasite or some bacterial infection. Havent done a freshwater dip. I was planning to run API General Cure after copper. Should I run General Cure with copper?

I don't see copper as being helpful here. As stated, flukes often produce a secondary bacterial infection. The trouble is, there is NO way to just look at a fish and know if there is bacteria, flukes, or both at the same time. You could treat with General Cure and an antibiotic at the same time.

Jay

 

[hairyashell]

I don't see copper as being helpful here. As stated, flukes often produce a secondary bacterial infection. The trouble is, there is NO way to just look at a fish and know if there is bacteria, flukes, or both at the same time. You could treat with General Cure and an antibiotic at the same time.

Jay

I'm running copper in the system as there are other fish in the QT going thru the full 30 day protocol. So running general cure with copper should be ok? Also which antibiotic would be safe to use with copper?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I'm running copper in the system as there are other fish in the QT going thru the full 30 day protocol. So running general cure with copper should be ok? Also which antibiotic would be safe to use with copper?

There is not a lot of research on what drugs can be mixed, therefore I always try to run just one medication at a time. If you run multiples, you need to understand there may be some additional risk. Antibiotics are generally ok with copper, but always monitor the ammonia in case the antibiotic damages the beneficial bacteria.
Kay

 

[Miami Reef]

My juvenile emperor had the same thing (but not nearly as bad). I assumed it was flukes and I treated with prazipro. Looking back, it probably was a mild bacterial infection.

My emperor probably had one or two small white spots. Not even close to how yours looks. Good luck.

 

[moz71]

As Jay has somewhat mentioned Potential complications of running multiple meds. I was winning battle until I ran multiple medications. That is the point when he stopped eating and went all down hill from there! He was eating like a pig and was looking good. Before that. Mine looked like that 2 days before he passed in comparison

 

[hairyashell]

There is not a lot of research on what drugs can be mixed, therefore I always try to run just one medication at a time. If you run multiples, you need to understand there may be some additional risk. Antibiotics are generally ok with copper, but always monitor the ammonia in case the antibiotic damages the beneficial bacteria.
Kay

Thanks Jay, I ordered some Kanaplex which is on the way. Started with General Cure today since I was planning to run it anyway during QT for all the fishes. Will add Kanaplex if there's no improvement on the angel.

Thanks all for the advice.