Ich on Pearlscale Butterfly Fish?

CaptainsReef · Jul 2, 2019

We just got a Pearlscale Butterfly Fish and I'm pretty sure it has ich. When it turns sideways I can see spots and I see spots on his long nose.

He's in QT but not sure what to do next. I think I need to treat with copper but not sure how to go about it. Do I just dump in the correct amount or is there something else I should do?

HotRocks · Jul 2, 2019

CaptainsReef said:
We just got a Pearlscale Butterfly Fish and I'm pretty sure it has ich. When it turns sideways I can see spots and I see spots on his long nose.

He's in QT but not sure what to do next. I think I need to treat with copper but not sure how to go about it. Do I just dump in the correct amount or is there something else I should do?

What kind of copper do you have?

I'd recommend splitting the doses into am/pm doses over a few days and ramping up to the target level.

CaptainsReef · Jul 2, 2019

HotRocks said:
What kind of copper do you have?

I'd recommend splitting the doses into am/pm doses over a few days and ramping up to the target level.

I have Mardel Coppersafe.

I was able to get a picture of him...
Can you confirm it is ich?

LAReefer4Life · Jul 3, 2019

Looks like ich and lymph on his noise. Is he scratching and exhibiting any strange behavior? Is he eating?

CaptainsReef · Jul 3, 2019

pathot984 said:
Looks like ich and lymph on his noise. Is he scratching and exhibiting any strange behavior? Is he eating?

What is lymph?? Not scratching and I just got him, so not eating, but wasn't bothered by that yet...

LAReefer4Life · Jul 3, 2019

Check out these threads.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lymphocystis.257461/

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ich-cryptocaryon-irritans.191226/

ngoodermuth · Jul 3, 2019

Coppersafe has been found to be pretty inconsistent from bottle to bottle when tested by a member here, so most prefer copper power as an alternative chelated copper.

If you use the Coppersafe (or with any copper really) make sure you have a test kit that is compatible with the copper you are using, and test the level frequently so that you can adjust as needed. If it dips below therapeutic at any point in time (1.75 min for chelated, should target around 2.0) the treatment clock restarts.

If you are using a single QT, want to keep the copper at *therapeutic* for 30 days, before removing with cuprisorb and water changes and another 2-3 weeks observation post-treatment.

If you have a second, sterile QT; can transfer to new QT after 14 days and observe there for 2-3 weeks. This method is slightly more effective because you are transferring the fish away from any encysted parasites that might remain dormant longer than the copper is present. The longest known strain was 72 days, but that was under a very specific set of circumstances (in a lab) designed to allow it to stay encysted longer than usual.

CaptainsReef · Jul 3, 2019

ngoodermuth said:
Coppersafe has been found to be pretty inconsistent from bottle to bottle when tested by a member here, so most prefer copper power as an alternative chelated copper.

If you use the Coppersafe (or with any copper really) make sure you have a test kit that is compatible with the copper you are using, and test the level frequently so that you can adjust as needed. If it dips below therapeutic at any point in time (1.75 min for chelated, should target around 2.0) the treatment clock restarts.

If you are using a single QT, want to keep the copper at *therapeutic* for 30 days, before removing with cuprisorb and water changes and another 2-3 weeks observation post-treatment.

If you have a second, sterile QT; can transfer to new QT after 14 days and observe there for 2-3 weeks. This method is slightly more effective because you are transferring the fish away from any encysted parasites that might remain dormant longer than the copper is present. The longest known strain was 72 days, but that was under a very specific set of circumstances (in a lab) designed to allow it to stay encysted longer than usual.

Thank you for this information. How will I determine if my copper test works with my copper treatment?

Also, were you able to look at the picture I posted? Would you agree it is ich? What about lymph?

CaptainsReef · Jul 3, 2019

@HotRocks I posted a picture, do you have any further insight?

HotRocks · Jul 3, 2019

CaptainsReef said:
@HotRocks I posted a picture, do you have any further insight?

Definitely looks like ich to me.

The best and most accurate test kit to use with copper safe or any other copper product is the Hanna high range copper checker IMO.

CaptainsReef · Jul 3, 2019

HotRocks said:
Definitely looks like ich to me.

The best and most accurate test kit to use with copper safe or any other copper product is the Hanna high range copper checker IMO.

@HotRocks
Thank you! I just ordered the Hanna Checker, 1-5 days for delivery. Should I wait to begin treatment? Do you feel the Coppersafe is okay to use or should I get the Copper Power mentioned above?

CaptainsReef · Jul 4, 2019

@HotRocks
Wasn't sure if you saw above. Fish not looking good today. Thought he was dead, laying on his side on the bottom then suddenly jumped up and started swimming around. He did this several times and now he's just on his side on the bottom. I think he is gone now I feel like such a terrible fish keeper.