I have a sick blue tang

[Humblefish]

Garlic + selcon + uv ddo not cure anything and especially not velvet. If symptoms disappear it doesnt mean its done, rather it became a ticking bomb waiting to reinfect again

^^ Agree; using garlic/UV may help with ich, but its not something you wanna try with velvet.

 

[aykwm]

You can safely use copper with the above fish.
The rest of the questions @melypr1985 answered them. When getting copper check which brand is it to get the appropriate kit. For chelated copper (like coppersafe) u want api test kit, for ionic (like cupramine) you want salifert or seachem copper test kits

 

[jmt1030]

What would be the minimum tank size that you guys would recommend getting for a QT/emergency tank for the amount of fish I have? Would it be OK to put them all in one or should I separate the blue tang which is the only one with noticeable symptoms?

 

[aykwm]

Depends on the size of the fish, but as you mentioned earlier pribably 55 is minimum, the bigger the better. You can treat them all in one tank with the blue tang as all are infected anyways with same disease.
Best of luck

 

[melypr1985]

I agree. I think a 55 would be the minimum tank size there. With enough filtration and O2 exchange, they should do fine. Also, plenty of hiding places for them all.

 

[jmt1030]

Last question. I'm a little worried about using all new water with no time to get biological filtration in there. Would it be OK to use at least some water from my DT to bring over some beneficial stuff. Or should I start completely fresh and dump in some bacteria in a bottle?

 

[aykwm]

You are welcome to ask as many questions as possible and I believe everyone will be more than glad to help you, for the water its a misconception that bacteria is available in water (well there is but negligible as they prefer to live of surfaces) so even if you used DT water without seeded filter it will still need some time to recycle, the better option is to get the bacteria in a bottle. You will still need to monitor for ammonia, and since you are using copper you will need to do water changes to reduce ammonia, as ammonia neutralizers will be toxic to the fish when combined with copper. Make sure when performing WC to add copper and mix to the water before adding it to the tank, this will ensure the copper readings are stable and at therapeutical level. If copper drops below required level, reinfection might occur, which gets you back to the start (DAY 0).
Best of luck

 

[leahfiish]

If you have any filter media from your tank like a sponge or marine pure or something like that you can move a little bit over to the qt. Rocks and sand can cause the copper level to fluctuate but I don't think a small amount of biomedia would have a big impact

 

[aykwm]

If you have any filter media from your tank like a sponge or marine pure or something like that you can move a little bit over to the qt. Rocks and sand can cause the copper level to fluctuate but I don't think a small amount of biomedia would have a big impact

Marine pure or other ceramic media are similar to LR, they will absorb copper too, sponge filter or HOB should be fine, although filter that came from uninfected tank is always better as parasite can encyst it.

 

[jmt1030]

Here we go.

 

[leahfiish]

Make sure you get a lid of some kind and some pvc or other places for your fish to hide. Also a copper test kit that is compatible with the type of copper you get.

 

[jmt1030]

RIP little buddy.

 

[Empress]

[emoji20]

 

[Humblefish]

 

[jmt1030]

It happens.

Thanks again to everyone that helped out. I've learned a lot throughout this ordeal and it'll only make me a better fish keeper.

 

[Areseebee]

Really sorry about the tang, do you have a plan going forward for the other fish and tank?

 

[Ashish Patel]

If budgeting is a concern just purchase a 20 Gallon or larger Brute bin. Make sure to add some biologicial media from your tank such as piece of LR that your never gonna put back in the tank... Years ago I had to remove a fish for disease and I used a simple 5 gallon tank and it worked as the fish recovered. The gratification you will receive when treating a fish in a QT is like no other, so take it as part of the hobby.. I would not recommend anything smaller than a 20 gallon and you can add some PVC pipe for hiding place and a cheap hang on filter.

I'll be honest with you the blue tang is pretty bad and time is a major factor so don't waste to much time Velvet is the worst!.. Its better your remove it asap in a plastic container - which you can always transfer later to another QT tank.

 

[Ashish Patel]

So sorry I missed the entire last part of the thread.. We live and learn and you did good by asking for help and trying to help the fish.. RIP Blue tang

 

[4FordFamily]

Sorry for your loss. I hoped I was wrong but it looked almost too late

 

[melypr1985]

Sorry for your loss