Help! Velvet or flukes on cowfish

CeeFish · Apr 20, 2022

My cow fish is having major issues. About 2 weeks ago he looked like picture #1 taken April 10 (velvet?) so we removed him from DT, did FW dip for 5 mins, Ruby Rally for 90 mins then QT tank (no copper because of his skin). Over the last 7 days, He seemed normal, ate, fewer white spots after a few days. Last night Day 8, he suddenly looked like OMG picture #2 which I actually took tonight, Day 9 (almost black, bulging cloudy eyes, would not eat on Day 9)! We did a FW dip for 5 mins then into QT tank dosed with metroplex followed by prazipro this evening. He is sitting at the bottom of the tank barely moving. Used magnifying glass and can see "strings" coming off his skin and now gills are reddening. Picture #3 came put of him after prazi. What should we do now?

Other fish in DT are scratching. Blue tang had some spots under skin that disappeared several days ago. Maroon clown's tail looks like it's starting to fray. Everyone eating normally. We are thinking of dosing DT with prazi.

blaxsun · Apr 20, 2022

Definitely keep the cowfish out of your DT until you're able to resolve anything with him. And you will want to avoid having any other fish in the same QT.

#fishmedic

fishguy242 · Apr 20, 2022

Hi, welcome to the reef...

Expert help will be along asap.
best wishes

Some Helpful Hints When Posting or Responding to Threads in the Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis Section

Aquarium Fish Disease Problem Solving Determining the best course of action for a problem with your aquarium can be a difficult task. Even advanced aquarists will often need to seek the help of others for complicated or unique issues. Our intent here on Reef 2 Reef is to offer expert advice...

www.reef2reef.com

Jay Hemdal · Apr 20, 2022

CeeFish said:
My cow fish is having major issues. About 2 weeks ago he looked like picture #1 taken April 10 (velvet?) so we removed him from DT, did FW dip for 5 mins, Ruby Rally for 90 mins then QT tank (no copper because of his skin). Over the last 7 days, He seemed normal, ate, fewer white spots after a few days. Last night Day 8, he suddenly looked like OMG picture #2 which I actually took tonight, Day 9 (almost black, bulging cloudy eyes, would not eat on Day 9)! We did a FW dip for 5 mins then into QT tank dosed with metroplex followed by prazipro this evening. He is sitting at the bottom of the tank barely moving. Used magnifying glass and can see "strings" coming off his skin and now gills are reddening. Picture #3 came put of him after prazi. What should we do now?

Other fish in DT are scratching. Blue tang had some spots under skin that disappeared several days ago. Maroon clown's tail looks like it's starting to fray. Everyone eating normally. We are thinking of dosing DT with prazi.

In the upper picture, the cowfish clearly has moderate marine ich. In the middle picture the mucus congestion on the fins and eyes aren't in the first shot, and are a sign of long term ich.

Of course, the fish could have other issues at the same time.

Jay