HELP - Copperband Butterfly in trouble

[Lucas815]

Hi,

I bought a new Copperband Butterfly a week ago, and has been doing pretty well in my 30G QT.

It was eating at the LFS, and eating frozen mysis in my QT as well, until 2 days ago.

I noticed at this time that it was eating less, and was less interested with the food.

Yesterday, I tested parameters, which are :
Ammonia : 0
Nitrite : 0
Nitrate : 100+ !!!!

I did a ~40% water change, and nitrates are now between 50 and 100.

This morning, The fish is not eating, and now its pretty lethargic and laying at the bottom, at a 45 degrees angle.
It seems also to be breathing pretty fast, but I cant say that I noticed its normal breathing rate before.

There is some small white fluffy growth on a fin, but I was told at the LFS that this was nothing to be worried about, and it would go away by itself in time.

I've lowered the heater to 72F to increase O2, and covered the tank with a blanket to reduce light.

I'm also in the process of replacing some salt water with RODI water, to reduce salinity.

Anything else I should do??

Thank you !

 

[proxy001]

Well, those are not great signs.
I would advice against any drastic and fast change if you water parameters are within range to being with. It will only add stress. Any fish harassing him?
What is the temp and salinity in the display tank?

 

[Lucas815]

Well, those are not great signs.
I would advice against any drastic and fast change if you water parameters are within range to being with. It will only add stress. Any fish harassing him?
What is the temp and salinity in the display tank?

It's all alone in the QT.

Temp is 77F, lowering to 72F
Salinity is at 31PPT.

I lifted the corner of the blanket to check salinity, and it was standing upright.... At least there's improvement.

 

[proxy001]

77 is perfectly fine. If you are worried about oxygen, use a powerhead.

 

[Oldreefer44]

In my experience the survival rate for these fish is very low for a variety of reasons. Many of them are doomed before arriving at the hobbyists tank. If you search threads you will see similar stories where the fish looked great and was eating at first but soon was struck with disease and died. IMO they should be rated as difficult to keep.

 

[proxy001]

In my experience the survival rate for these fish is very low for a variety of reasons. Many of them are doomed before arriving at the hobbyists tank. If you search threads you will see similar stories where the fish looked great and was eating at first but soon was struck with disease and died. IMO they should be rated as difficult to keep.

100%, they seem to be doing great and next thing you know, they die in 5 minutes.

 

[Lucas815]

100%, they seem to be doing great and next thing you know, they die in 5 minutes.

Indeed, that's what I read as well, but they are so beautiful that I just had to take a chance, in case i'm the lucky one that gets a good specimen.

Not looking great, but it's still hanging on.

It moved inside a cave (4" pipe) so it's hiding there now.
I'd call that progress.

 

[rusty hannon]

Hi,

I bought a new Copperband Butterfly a week ago, and has been doing pretty well in my 30G QT.

It was eating at the LFS, and eating frozen mysis in my QT as well, until 2 days ago.

I noticed at this time that it was eating less, and was less interested with the food.

Yesterday, I tested parameters, which are :
Ammonia : 0
Nitrite : 0
Nitrate : 100+ !!!!

I did a ~40% water change, and nitrates are now between 50 and 100.

This morning, The fish is not eating, and now its pretty lethargic and laying at the bottom, at a 45 degrees angle.
It seems also to be breathing pretty fast, but I cant say that I noticed its normal breathing rate before.

There is some small white fluffy growth on a fin, but I was told at the LFS that this was nothing to be worried about, and it would go away by itself in time.

I've lowered the heater to 72F to increase O2, and covered the tank with a blanket to reduce light.

I'm also in the process of replacing some salt water with RODI water, to reduce salinity.

Anything else I should do??

Thank you !

On this forum about 5 months ago a guy advised not to quarantine the butterfly as they don't handle solitary well. I hope he pulls thru for you.

 

[TriggerFinger]

You may have luck giving it some live rock to pick at and hide in; it’s more natural than PVC. You can also try feeding live worms and clams if you’re able to get them. I’ve also seen a lot of people say they pick at feather dusters. Good luck with your fish, they are beautiful.

 

[rusty hannon]

You may have luck giving it some live rock to pick at and hide in; it’s more natural than PVC. You can also try feeding live worms and clams if you’re able to get them. I’ve also seen a lot of people say they pick at feather dusters. Good luck with your fish, they are beautiful.

The last person posted reminded me of a trick a LFS told me to do, frozen clams shaved and fed directly to fish.they eat till way full.anything that'll help.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

There is some small white fluffy growth on a fin, but I was told at the LFS that this was nothing to be worried about, and it would go away by itself in time.

Sounds to me like lymphocyst. Were you treating with anything prior to these issues?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ouch- nitrate high
Salinity very low as well as temperature

salinity range: 1.024-1.025
Temperature: 77-79
Nitrate: .5 or less

HOW DID YOU ACCLIMATE FISH ??

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi,

I bought a new Copperband Butterfly a week ago, and has been doing pretty well in my 30G QT.

It was eating at the LFS, and eating frozen mysis in my QT as well, until 2 days ago.

I noticed at this time that it was eating less, and was less interested with the food.

Yesterday, I tested parameters, which are :
Ammonia : 0
Nitrite : 0
Nitrate : 100+ !!!!

I did a ~40% water change, and nitrates are now between 50 and 100.

This morning, The fish is not eating, and now its pretty lethargic and laying at the bottom, at a 45 degrees angle.
It seems also to be breathing pretty fast, but I cant say that I noticed its normal breathing rate before.

There is some small white fluffy growth on a fin, but I was told at the LFS that this was nothing to be worried about, and it would go away by itself in time.

I've lowered the heater to 72F to increase O2, and covered the tank with a blanket to reduce light.

I'm also in the process of replacing some salt water with RODI water, to reduce salinity.

Anything else I should do??

Thank you !

When a fish like this rests on the bottom, it is very serious.
I’d worry about the respiration rate: try to get a count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to get BPM. That rate should be less than 80 or so.
Personally, I’ve stopped buying copper bands unless I’m positive they were collected in Australia.

Jay

 

[Lucas815]

You may have luck giving it some live rock to pick at and hide in; it’s more natural than PVC. You can also try feeding live worms and clams if you’re able to get them. I’ve also seen a lot of people say they pick at feather dusters. Good luck with your fish, they are beautiful.

I just got some clams at the grocery, and it seems to be curious about it but it's not eating yet.

It's standing upright though now, so its looking good.

 

[Lucas815]

Sounds to me like lymphocyst. Were you treating with anything prior to these issues?

I asked about it at the LFS, but they explicitly told me that there was no cure for this, that it was nothing serious and that it would run it's course.

Was that bad advice? Now that would be a first............

 

[proxy001]

I asked about it at the LFS, but they explicitly told me that there was no cure for this, that it was nothing serious and that it would run it's course.

Was that bad advice? Now that would be a first............

That is correct. Lympho will go away on its own. Usually not life threatening.

 

[Lucas815]

Ouch- nitrate high
Salinity very low as well as temperature

salinity range: 1.024-1.025
Temperature: 77-79
Nitrate: .5 or less

HOW DID YOU ACCLIMATE FISH ??

Salinity was at 35ppm but I lowered it slightly this morning to make it easier for the fish.
Same as temperature, O2 concentration increases in lower temperature.
As for nitrates, I'll do another 10-20% water change tonight to keep lowering it.

Would Red Sea NOPOX help quickly in regard with the nitrates?

The fish was acclimated with the drip method in it's bag over 4 hours.

 

[schuby]

As @proxy001 said, don't make any more drastic changes. Lowering the temp 5 degrees is another drastic change that you can choose not to perform.

For O2 saturation, I always run an airstone in my QT tank. It is more direct and effective.

 

[jtf74]

I asked about it at the LFS, but they explicitly told me that there was no cure for this, that it was nothing serious and that it would run it's course.

Was that bad advice? Now that would be a first............

No, that's good advice. I just got a copperband also. Was clear then got lympho a couple days into QT. Got used to the tank and has been eating well and was all clear again in 3-4 days. If you can get it eating and stress free they will go away. Mine eats frozen mysis and live blackworms. Didn't touch clam the first time I tried and doesn't eat the frozen with mussels. Try live blackworms if you can find.

Why are your nitrates so high? Was this a well established setup you put it in or a clean sterile QT?

I find it works better for me to put sensitive fish into a well established tank with liverock for QT instead of a sterile QT as it is less stressful and provides a live food source.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Just a couple of observations- you should determine if your nitrate test kit is measuring nitrate ion or nitrate-nitrogen. They are the same thing really, but 4.4 times different in value. Your 100ppm nitrate is fine if your kit measures nitrate-nitrogen, but it f it tests for the latter, that would be sky high.
IMO 4 hours is too long to drip acclimate, difficult to maintain temperature and oxygen.
Jay