New sohal ich issue

[sbenus]

So after all the great help with the Cauliflower issue with the queen angel, need some help with the new arrival in quarantine. A couple days after he arrived, he had quite a lot of ich. The good news was he didn't seem stressed and was eating very well and swimming strongly. That was exactly 1 week ago today. 3 days ago, after a partial water change, I started dosing cupramine to 0.5 as prescribed. Currently I do not see any white spots which is the good news however his body now has some black markings all over his head and body which you can sort of see in the pictures. It has me a little worried because even though he is eating both algae and frozen foods well, he hasn't really gotten any fatter (he's thinner than the pics seem) and I can still see the outline of his spine. And I am never stingy with food, especially with skinny new arrivals. Are the black markings anything to worry about? Several days ago he was flashing quite a bit but that has toned down now that the white spots are gone. He does rest and hide in the PVC for a while but also swims very strongly. He does also seem to breathe heavily now and then but I believe that is common with copper medication right?

Sorry for the long post but along with the queen angel, this is my all-time favorite fish and they are pretty hard to come by down here (Been trying to get one for over two years) not to mention expensive. I would hate to lose the little guy. As usual, all the advice is greatly appreciated

Cheers

 

[Humblefish]

He has a bacterial infection, which is often "secondary" to a preexisting parasitic infestation such as ich or velvet. Unfortunately, this complicates matters and reduces the chances of successful treatment.

You need to start him on antibiotics ASAP (safe to mix with copper): https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/antibiotics.283711/

Increase gas exchange to compensate for reduced available O2 from combining the meds. Also know antibiotics are worse than copper when it comes to appetite suppression.

Also, if you can get ahold of acriflavine, performing a 90 min bath using that will increase your odds of saving him: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acriflavine.282887/

 

[4FordFamily]

I agree with humble, although suspect velvet was at play based on how quickly the spots disappeared, how many you said there were, and how severely impacted that fish looks.

 

[sbenus]

ok, ordered everything rush shipping. arrives tuesday. hope he makes it

 

[wkscott]

With possible velvet and a bacterial infection on top, it would be better to get the meds at a local store and start treatment immediately. Starting treatment 4 days from now may very well be too late I'm afraid.

 

[sbenus]

Already crossed my mind and I would love to but unfortunately the local stores aren't great on carrying this kind of medication. Don't know of anyone locally that carries Seachem. They tend to carry just the common brand supplements and additives but nothing too specialized like antibiotics

 

[wkscott]

Maracyn I and 2 are normally carried at Petco and Petsmart. Not sure if they are in your area. You can use both at the same time

 

[sbenus]

i'll check, thanks

 

[melypr1985]

He has a bacterial infection, which is often "secondary" to a preexisting parasitic infestation such as ich or velvet. Unfortunately, this complicates matters and reduces the chances of successful treatment.

You need to start him on antibiotics ASAP (safe to mix with copper): https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/antibiotics.283711/

Increase gas exchange to compensate for reduced available O2 from combining the meds. Also know antibiotics are worse than copper when it comes to appetite suppression.

Also, if you can get ahold of acriflavine, performing a 90 min bath using that will increase your odds of saving him: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acriflavine.282887/

+1 Agree completely

 

[Humblefish]

Maracyn I and 2 are normally carried at Petco and Petsmart. Not sure if they are in your area. You can use both at the same time

Agree.

Any antibiotic mentioned here would be better than delaying treatment IMO: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/antibiotics.283711/

 

[sbenus]

will this work?
API® E.M. Erythromycin

 

[melypr1985]

will this work?
API® E.M. Erythromycin

Yes... any antibiotic is better than nothing.

 

[sbenus]

update: found sulfaplex locally. Lights turn on in about 30 minutes so will feed him frozen food as soon as they do to make sure he eats. then dosing the antibiotic in case he loses his appetite at least he will have eaten something today. Also turning on the air line to oxygenate water and keeping a veggie clip with algae for him to nibble on throughout the day. And maintaining .5 levels of copper. Hope this works

 

[Humblefish]

I've never used Sulfaplex, but I have used API Triple Sulfa with success. Also, NFG (my fav antibiotic) contains sulfathiazole.

The sulfa drugs work well, but IME they can be a bit more harsher than Kanaplex or Furan-2. What else do you have coming just in case he stops eating?

 

[sbenus]

i ordered :
Kanaplex
Metroplex
Focus
all arrive tuesday

 

[sbenus]

i also have paraguard. not sure if it'll help?

 

[Humblefish]

i ordered :
Kanaplex
Metroplex
Focus
all arrive tuesday

I would switch over to Kanaplex + Metroplex if he stops eating or acts lethargic with Sulfaplex. You'll need to do a large WC and run carbon first though.

 

[sbenus]

ok, thanks

 

[sbenus]

dangit, not looking good. Less than two hours after dosing and he's breathing rapidly and lethargic at the bottom. Having trouble staying upright as well. This sucks.

 

[Humblefish]

dangit, not looking good. Less than two hours after dosing and he's breathing rapidly and lethargic at the bottom. Having trouble staying upright as well. This sucks.

Sorry; it does appear to be a pretty bad infection from the looks of it.