ich and starvation

[Big G]

From Humblefish's treatment advisory:

Methylene Blue: Treats ammonia burn/exposure, cuts, injuries. Will possibly detoxify a fish that has been exposed to cyanide poisoning.

How To Treat - Comes in both liquid and powder form, sometimes mixed in with another medication. So, follow the directions on the label. Generally used as a 30 minute bath/dip at double dose, but you can also dose it directly into a quarantine tank. Aerate heavily. You can combine M Blue with nitrofurazone (active ingredient found in Furan-2) if needing to treat for a bacterial infection. In fact, Nitrofuracin Green Powder contains both medications and is great for treating open wounds or sores.

 

[A.Percula]

 

[A.Percula]

Quick update...

I believe my ammonia level is building up and I just did a 50% WC. The seachem ammonia alert was at .05ppm. Should I re-dose prazipro? I was just at the 48 mark of the treatment.

 

[A.Percula]

Good and bad news. The purple firefish did not make it. I expedited and received the methylene blue today, but unfortunately he is gone . This fish came in bad shape when it was mailed to me and I was hoping to save him...

On the other side... the Male anthias made a come back and he is displaying bright colors again. He was pale when he was showing ich symptoms, but he looks way better today after 3 days of treatment.

 

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Hey guys!

Quick update. Everything seems to go well. I received the API GC today and will start to use it this Sunday.

The female anthias has two white grains on her “head”. Not sure if they are parasites (see pics). But There is a long way for treatment so I am not worried.

 

[A.Percula]

Another update...

I change the treatment plan to start Cupramine as soon as possible since I started to see the "white spot" (previous post). First dose was on Saturday (current Cu level is .25) and I am supposed to repeat the dose after 48 hours (today) and then maintain it to .60 ( I have the test kit ).

My only concern is that I have to make frequent water changes (almost daily or every 2 days to keep ammonia and nitrite levels down) and I am not sure how to maintain the copper level at .60 with water changes. I also use the 5 gallon cubes for my DT and I believe I wont be able to use them if I ever mix in copper in them.

Should I add Cupramine to the new water before putting it in the tank or after?

On the other hand, the fish look fine!

 

[Big G]

Yes, always replace "therapeutic" levels of copper dosed tank water that you remove for a water change with fresh saltwater that is dosed to the same level of copper. Never give ich or velvet the opportunity to come back. And if you did drop below the "therapeutic" level for any reason, the 30 day clock starts all over.

 

[A.Percula]

Hey!

I am back again... so finally took Cupramine to therapeutic level on Wednesday (2 days ago). Fish are all eating well, the female anthias sometimes seems slow, but she is eating frozen now (after spending more than $70 in frozen and live food).

However, today I noticed a white spot on the male anthias.... Is it normal to see this during the treatment? Also, when water evaporates, does the copper concentration goes up?

Thanks,
Luis

 

[A.Percula]

Well...

I decided to take some pictures and all of the sudden a Chromis went down to the tank dying. I just fed them 20 mins earlier and they were all happy... Not sure if it was because of aggression or treatment. This is so frustrating .

 

[Big G]

Yep, copper will go up due to evaporation. Top off with RODI.
Keep an eye on that white spot. Do you have antibiotics if needed? Kanaplex or Furan2 are good wide spectrum antibiotics.

 

[A.Percula]

Thanks!

No, I dont think I have ant antibiotic, I'll keep an eye.

I think I figured out what happened to the Chromis. When I took my camera they all got scared and he went to hide in the PVC that the male anthias owns... He probably was hit because when I took him out, put him in some Methylene blue (thinking it was ammonia or nitrite intoxication) he was swimming in circles until he died. After an inspection of the body, it looks like his fin was broken!! See pic.