Is every "rub" a parasite?

[Breakthecycle2]

I've had my fish in QT now for 4 weeks today. They have been in therapeutic levels of copper for close to 4 weeks (in a few days). Two of my fish still seem to rub against the PVC. Not often, but if I watch for about a half hour, I'll see them do it. Could it still be a parasite?

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Good question! Following!

 

[DeniseAndy]

As I do not use copper, I am not familiar with its abilities to get all parasites. What fish are we talking about? This may help to whether it is normal behavior or not.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Caribbean snow bass and cleaner wrasse.

 

[Humblefish]

Several possibilities:

1. Copper is not at full therapeutic levels, allowing some of the theronts to survive and latch onto a fish.
2. The fish has a parasite (exs. Brooklynella & Uronema) copper does not treat; copper only treats ich & velvet. It typically will only suppress other parasitic infestations without completely eradicating them.
3. Gill flukes can cause scratching symptoms, and Prazipro is needed to treat that because it is a worm.
4. After trophonts drop off a fish, the skin begins to heal from the damage inflicted. New skin grows over the tiny holes where the trophonts were feeding and this can cause an itching sensation. Similar to how human skin feels following a sunburn when the damaged skin peels away and new skin grows in it's place.
5. Although never proven, it is theoretically possible for copper resistant strains of ich/velvet to exist. Especially if said strain has been repeatedly exposed to non-therapeutic levels of copper at the wholesaler, LFS and then by a hobbyist.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Several possibilities:

1. Copper is not at full therapeutic levels, allowing some of the theronts to survive and latch onto a fish.
2. The fish has a parasite (exs. Brooklynella & Uronema) copper does not treat; copper only treats ich & velvet. It typically will only suppress other parasitic infestations without completely eradicating them.
3. Gill flukes can cause scratching symptoms, and Prazipro is needed to treat that because it is a worm.
4. After trophonts drop off a fish, the skin begins to heal from the damage inflicted. New skin grows over the tiny holes where the trophonts were feeding and this can cause an itching sensation. Similar to how human skin feels following a sunburn when the damaged skin peels away and new skin grows in it's place.
5. Although never proven, it is theoretically possible for copper resistant strains of ich/velvet to exist. Especially if said strain has been repeatedly exposed to non-therapeutic levels of copper at the wholesaler, LFS and then by a hobbyist.

It's definitely at therapeutic levels. Using copper safe, its been steady at 2PPM for nearly 4 weeks.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

I guess flukes could be a possibility, but I thought the copper would also take care of those?

 

[4FordFamily]

I guess flukes could be a possibility, but I thought the copper would also take care of those?

Nope, not always... Anymore there are lots of resistant flukes. Prazi. Personally I would wait until the copper is out to do prazi.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Nope, not always... Anymore there are lots of resistant flukes. Prazi. Personally I would wait until the copper is out to do prazi.

Yeah I will. I have two QT tanks going. One with the old fish and one with "new" fish. The new fish I havent touched yet. I just started doing water changes without adding additional copper to start trying to get it out. Prazi is next on my list.