Help with QT for foxface

[Dmsick]

I have a foxface and 3 damsels in my QT, a 20 gallon long with HOB with sponges and biowheel. The sponge came from the sump of my DT but I also added stability for the first 7 days. I got them all from DD almost 2 weeks ago. They've all been eating well and I've seen no signs of illness. The foxface was pretty stressed the first few days but then assumed his normal colors and has been active in the tank. I did 7 days of prazipro with no issues. I removed this with carbon and a water change. I started cupramine yesterday at half the recommended initial dose. The foxface seemed stressed. He put on his camo colors and hid in the corner all day and this am. He did however come out to eat yesterday afternoon and this am. I added the rest of the first half of the initial dose (so now at the original initial dose but half of the total dose). I didn't see any change in the fishes behavior. I came home for lunch to check on things and the foxface looked really bad. He was at the top of the tank and barely moving, I touched his tail and he went to the bottom of the tank and laid on his side. I got nervous and did an immediate 50% water change. The fox instantly returned his colors and started swimming actively in the tank. He ate some seaweed and has been hanging out in the front of the tank looking great.
So, my question is do I really need to treat this guy with copper? He came from DD. He's been through some serious stress and no signs of illness. Is it safe to move him to my DT or should I try the cupramine again with a slower ramp to full dose?

 

[glb]

I have a foxface and 3 damsels in my QT, a 20 gallon long with HOB with sponges and biowheel. The sponge came from the sump of my DT but I also added stability for the first 7 days. I got them all from DD almost 2 weeks ago. They've all been eating well and I've seen no signs of illness. The foxface was pretty stressed the first few days but then assumed his normal colors and has been active in the tank. I did 7 days of prazipro with no issues. I removed this with carbon and a water change. I started cupramine yesterday at half the recommended initial dose. The foxface seemed stressed. He put on his camo colors and hid in the corner all day and this am. He did however come out to eat yesterday afternoon and this am. I added the rest of the first half of the initial dose (so now at the original initial dose but half of the total dose). I didn't see any change in the fishes behavior. I came home for lunch to check on things and the foxface looked really bad. He was at the top of the tank and barely moving, I touched his tail and he went to the bottom of the tank and laid on his side. I got nervous and did an immediate 50% water change. The fox instantly returned his colors and started swimming actively in the tank. He ate some seaweed and has been hanging out in the front of the tank looking great.
So, my question is do I really need to treat this guy with copper? He came from DD. He's been through some serious stress and no signs of illness. Is it safe to move him to my DT or should I try the cupramine again with a slower ramp to full dose?

Any chance it was ammonia in the tank?

 

[Dmsick]

Any chance it was ammonia in the tank?

It's not impossible but seems less likely. I have an ammonia alert badge on the tank but I can't really tell what color it is so it's pretty useless. I would have checked it but I was thinking the tests weren't reliable with copper in the water. I also did a water change yesterday before starting the copper. I hadn't changed the water in a week before that. I started with a sponge from my sump which should have been pretty well colonized with bacteria and have used Stability daily. Should I just wait a day and start with the cupramine again and go slower? Odds that the foxface is healthy and can just go to my DT? I really want him in the DT to help with hair algae but don't want to take a chance on introducing disease.