Hippo in Cupramine

[rebels23]

I have a hippo tang in Curpamine right now. He has been in copper for almost 3 weeks now. He still scratches like crazy even though I have not seen anything on him for weeks now (PVC tube in tank). He also is starting to develop HLLE at a very rapid pace. I have had very tough luck with HLLE affecting everything I have been QT'ing and it happens very rapidly. I am not sure what to do anymore.

He is in salinity of 1.011. Does the Cupramine cause irritation causing him to scratch?

 

[Jedi Knghit]

You are trying to run hypo salinity and copper together? Sounds like that could be pretty stressful on the fish.

How are you measuring the copper and salinity?

What salinity did the fish come in and how did you acclimate it to 1.011?

I ran a hippo through copper twice. Each time was for 14 days before moving it to another sterile quarantine tank. I noticed some flashing for up a week after it was removed from copper both times.

 

[Rickybobby]

Wow 1.011 sg? Wow. My hippo is in 1.023 and 2.0ppm coppersafe and is doing very well

 

[rebels23]

I thought Hypo was less stressful for fish? I am measuring with a Hanna Salinity Checker and copper with a Hanna also. I acclimated the fish to 1.011 weeks ago. I haven't had the greatest luck with Cupramine

 

[Rickybobby]

I thought Hypo was less stressful for fish? I am measuring with a Hanna Salinity Checker and copper with a Hanna also. I acclimated the fish to 1.011 weeks ago. I haven't had the greatest luck with Cupramine

How can a salinity way lower than there natural environment be less stressful?

 

[rebels23]

Their internal salinity is about 1.006-1.008

 

[Jedi Knghit]

I did a little internet research and came across a few references to Copper being more toxic with lower salinity. Here's one reference I found from Humblefish:

"If using chelated copper (e.g. Copper Power), I wouldn't start raising it until you've reached 1.017-1.018 SG.

Ionic copper (e.g. Cupramine) is even more sensitive to hypo conditions, so I wouldn't go any higher than 0.25 mg/L until you've reached a normal salinity (1.022-26). Then take it up to 0.5 mg/L."

Personally, I would pick one method or the other and see if you have better results.

 

[Uncle99]

Why was he put in copper, did he have parasites?
Why has he been in 3 weeks?
I have lately seen more fish die in QT with meds and long stays.

This fish does not handle stress well at all.

 

[rebels23]

Thanks Jedi Knight, I agree with sticking with one method.

He first went through TTM in November. I then moved him to an observation tank for treatment of worms. About a week ago I noticed some spots on his belly and fin....and that is when I started treating with copper.