Kole Tang in CP acting strangely

Smite · Oct 27, 2018

QT Tank info
2 large sponge filters, pre cycled with fritz turbo and dosing ammonia from Dr. Tims. Placed near return pump to help keep oxygen levels up.
Ammonia Alert badge reads no ammonia
Temp 78 +- 1F
Salinity 1.022 (matched to water from bags fish were in)
55 gallons of water
breeder style tank with sump so all fish have their own small tank
CP dosed at 1/8 tsp per 10 gallons.

Feeding
Spirulina flakes/formula 2 pellets
Brine shrimp/mysis soaked in garlic selcom every other day
Nori pieces offered every other day to both tangs. Naso chows down, kole hasn't figured it out yet...

Kole is very small maybe 2-2.5" in length

I've had a group of fish in chloroquine phosphate for 14 days. 1 Naso, 3 fire fish, a long nose hawkfish and a kole tang. I got all these fish straight out of the bag before they got acclimated at my LFS. All fish are acting well and eating but the kole tang seems to struggle a bit.

His mouth appears to always be open. When I put food in the tank he misses a lot, almost like he can't quiet see the food but does show interest. I often catch him swimming in front of the drain in the upper corner. I haven't noticed any flashing but I'm curious if maybe this is a fluke issue? I've noticed white stringy poop from the long nose hawkfish.

Ambient lighting only as I've read CP can breakdown under strong lighting.

Since I'm half way done with the CP treatment I'd rather not pull it to dose prazipro, but I also don't want to lose the Kole tang. I've lost several over the years, they all seem to do something similar with the mouth, but sometimes look damaged from rubbing. I see no signs on this one, but the gaping mouth has me worried. I wouldn't say breathing is labored slightly elevated above the others.

Is there a good medication I can mix with CP to help with flukes and internal parasites? I've seen some quick mentions of General Cure from API but nothing seemed too concrete. I normally use prazipro after copper/CP but I'd hate to let this guy get any weaker if flukes are the culprit. I'm leaning towards attempting the general cure for now but would like some input/direction from some experienced keepers.

Thanks for any help/suggestions

HotRocks · Oct 27, 2018

Best solution IMO, if you suspect flukes. Give him a 5 min FW dip.

This will do two things, confirm if flukes are present and remove most if not all of them providing enough relief to finish CP treatment and then move to prazi.

Smite · Oct 27, 2018

HotRocks said:
Best solution IMO, if you suspect flukes. Give him a 5 min FW dip.

This will do two things, confirm if flukes are present and remove most if not all of them providing enough relief to finish CP treatment and then move to prazi.

Ahhh the dreaded fw dip! For me atleast. I've had several very unsuccessful attempts. If i try it I'll need to find a very good write up before hand so I can prepare better this go around

I take it you don't think mixing general cure with cp is a good idea?

Big G · Oct 27, 2018

Hope this helps a bit: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/video-how-to-do-a-freshwater-dip.286639/#post-3487082
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/medication-compatibility-guide.313491/#post-3862527

HotRocks · Oct 27, 2018

Smite said:
Ahhh the dreaded fw dip! For me atleast. I've had several very unsuccessful attempts. If i try it I'll need to find a very good write up before hand so I can prepare better this go around

I take it you don't think mixing general cure with cp is a good idea?

If he was the only fish in QT I would say you could try it. It can be done but it's risky and depletes oxygen. I don't think it's worth the risk when the others are all doing fine.

I have dipped many many fish in FW. I've never had an issue. If you have had negative results, the fish was likely already going to pass, and it accelerated the process. I have never lost a fish during or directly after a FW dip.

Brett newell · Oct 27, 2018

You can also dose powder metroplex or kanaplex with cp. Light breaks it down, but it can also be weakened by strong bio film.

GoldeneyeRet · Oct 28, 2018

I have used prazipro with CP on occasion with success. Bacterial bloom/oxygen depletion is the main concern.

I have also used general cure with good results in conjunction with CP. It gives you broader coverage by combining praziquantel and metronidazole, though the prazi dosage is less than you get with prazipro. The oxygen depletion risk is much less so it's likely safer than the prazipro when combined with CP.

That said , I agree that a FW dip to confirm flukes and provide relief if flukes are confirmed is a better course of action. If flukes are present you can treat for them after CP has been completed.

Smite · Oct 28, 2018

Last night I went out to the tank and the Naso had it's stress marking on and darted to the corner. Figured I spooked him. This morning he was dead on the floor. So strange as he ate without hesitation up to this point.

HotRocks · Oct 28, 2018

Smite said:
Last night I went out to the tank and the Naso had it's stress marking on and darted to the corner. Figured I spooked him. This morning he was dead on the floor. So strange as he ate without hesitation up to this point.

What CP are you using and where did you get it?