ich spots after 2 weeks in qt with copper

[JennyGutt]

Hello all
I have 5 fish in qt for 2 weeks treating with coppersafe for an ich outbreak. I added as directed on the bottle and add it back at the appropriate amount for water changes too. I check it with API test kit but lets honest, who can read and tell on those when the color they turn isnt even on the result card. So im running blind pretty much. My concern is its been 2 weeks n copper and my FA is still having a few tiny white specks on her back fin. Does this mean the copper isnt high enough to kill them or is this normal to still see spots after 2 weeks. Also how long after i stop seeing spots should i keep treating to make sure theyre eradicated?

 

[mcarroll]

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You should check out most of those links, but especially the ones to the Fish Discussion and Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis forums.

 

[Brew12]

Hello all
I have 5 fish in qt for 2 weeks treating with coppersafe for an ich outbreak. I added as directed on the bottle and add it back at the appropriate amount for water changes too. I check it with API test kit but lets honest, who can read and tell on those when the color they turn isnt even on the result card. So im running blind pretty much. My concern is its been 2 weeks n copper and my FA is still having a few tiny white specks on her back fin. Does this mean the copper isnt high enough to kill them or is this normal to still see spots after 2 weeks. Also how long after i stop seeing spots should i keep treating to make sure theyre eradicated?

Remember, you aren't seeing ich, you are seeing the fish's biological response to ich (typically mucus). I would worry if you see new specks form. I am not sure how long it should take for ich spots to heal up. I would guess it will vary based on the health of the fish when treatment started. And remember, copper is a poison to the fish too, just one that the fish can survive in much longer than the ich. The copper will probably slow down the rate at which the fish heals.
Maybe one of the experts can chime in?