Flukes or possibly Velvet?

[atp0726]

I have had the below fish in quarantine for 16 days, in a 20 gallon with HOB filter and shallow container with sand for wrasse. Using an ammonia alert. Seeded filter with sponge that had been in DT sump for over a year.

3x Dispar Anthias
Midas Blenny
Kole Tang
Melanarus Wrasse

Already treated fish with 2 rounds of General Cure, 2nd dose aprox 5 days after first.All fish eating frozen food soaked in General Cure with focus x3 per day. Earlier this week noticed the Dispar coming down with what looked like a bacterial infection, did a few water changes which seemed to help. The Dispar tend to hang out in a corner towards the top of the tank. For some time have noticed the Midas flashing/scratching on the sand bed and a few times has tried to bite something toward body/tail. This morning the melanarus was scratching the gill area and Kole tang was acting uncomfortable, shaking head and scatching/flashing at times.

Assumed flukes and did a freshwater dip on Melanarus and Midas today since they had the most symptoms to confirm. Performed the dip in a black plastic container but as i was capturing fish scooped up substrate in the QT (reef sand from container for wrasse) and it was hard to differentiate between substrate and any dead flukes.

After the bath and another water change all fish seem to be doing well and eating. Some flashing by only the Anthias this evening and one is reclusive hanging almost motionless in top corner. Otherwise fish look healthy, are active and eating well. Added a dose of Prazipro before lights out for the night.

After researching on here I am wondering if I should be concerned with Velvet since the symptoms can be similar to flukes. I would have thought the fish would have shown more signs by now but wondering why the general cure didnt work. If they do in fact have Velvet and just arent showing many external symptoms i would want to start copper sooner than later.

 

[Qasimja]

marine velvet hits hard and fast when i had velvet 4 of my 6 fish were dead within 2 days do you have a picture of the any of the fish are they showing any outward signs anything?

 

[HotRocks]

Pictures speak 1000 words. If you could upload some it would be very helpful in making a determination of what it may be that you are dealing with.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

General cure can fail because there are, with increasing frequency, prazi rezistant flukes.

I would confirm or rule out flukes via another FWD.

I would also divide that group into 2 20 gal at least.

 

[atp0726]

Pictures speak 1000 words. If you could upload some it would be very helpful in making a determination of what it may be that you are dealing with.

Here's a video of mainly the Midas this morning. Seems very irritated. Still has an appetite. Hard to see on a yellow fish but does appear to have the "Velvet" look when i can catch a glimpse. Since i dosed Prazi yesterday should I do a WC and then start copper?

 

[atp0726]

Another video of Midas

 

[LAReefer4Life]

These videos are NOT working. Post through YouTube and post the URL link.

 

[atp0726]

These videos are NOT working. Post through YouTube and post the URL link.

Ok, thanks. Linked to youtube:

 

[atp0726]

Update: After seeing the midas today I decided i probably needed to react. Since i dosed prazi last night i did a 50% WC before adding copper. I have good surface agitation and an airstone in the tank. I gave the Midas another FW dip to give him some relief and check for flukes. It didn't appear there were any flukes in the container after the 5min bath.

The plan going forward will be to bring the copper(copper power) up to 1.75 over the next couple days, which if my math is correct in a 20 gallon that should equal 22ml. I have the Hanna copper high range checker as well.

I have never used copper before and thanks to this site I believe i have been able to figure out the proper dosing, please let me know if i should do something differently.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

I would not add copper with Prazipro just being administered. I would finish the 2 rounds of prazipro and then conduct a 50% water change and then bring copper to therapeutic levels over 2-3 days, splitting the does am/pm.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

If you think velvet is an immediate concern then I would conduct 50% water change and then administer copper quickly half dose am/pm to therapeutic over 1-2 day period.

 

[atp0726]

If you think velvet is an immediate concern then I would conduct 50% water change and then administer copper quickly half dose am/pm to therapeutic over 1-2 day period.

They have already been through 2 General Cure treatments and the 3rd dose of straight Prazi which had no effect by the next day. May have been to early to tell but after seeing the Midas today it looked like Velvet.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

They have already been through 2 General Cure treatments and the 3rd dose of straight Prazi which had no effect by the next day. May have been to early to tell but after seeing the Midas today it looked like Velvet.

Then I would definitely conduct large water change and start with copper treatment.

 

[vetteguy53081]

To verify flukes- give fish a freshwater bath for a few minutes (4-8) and see if what looks like little sesame seeds have fallen off of fish. if none- go to next suspect (velvet, etc)

 

[atp0726]

To verify flukes- give fish a freshwater bath for a few minutes (4-8) and see if what looks like little sesame seeds have fallen off of fish. if none- go to next suspect (velvet, etc)

Yes, did that and nothing noticeable fell off. Started copper.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Yes, did that and nothing noticeable fell off. Started copper.

Keep water quality pristine during copper treatment to avoid bacteria issues, etc. Feed vitamin enriched foods soaked in selcon or zoecon to help boost their immune system during treatment. Keep an eye on behavior such heavy breathing as you raise the copper levels. Ideally best if doses are split AM/PM and gradually raise over 48 hours.

 

[atp0726]

I have been feeding general cure/focus mixed with food for about a week. Should I discontinue the meds with food for now?

 

[atp0726]

All fish now showing signs of Velvet. Still alive and eating but not sure what i will find in the am. Brought copper up to 1.70 since starting yesterday. Was going to add more to try and get close to 2.0, however, I noticed the Melanarus who has the least amount of Velvet symptoms to be frantically flashing its mouth on the glass and objects, not sure if its a reaction to copper or the Velvet.

Is 1.70 considered therapeutic at this point or should I add more to get closer to 2.0? Will the fish begin to get relief or does it take the copper a while to start working? They all seem very uncomfortable. The Midas was the first to show symptoms and is surprisingly still alive.