Normal?

[MightyMouse85]

I have an Achilles tang in QT. It has been through a week of observation and 2 treatments of prazipro. I just added cupramine the other day and slowly adding. Did 1/4 dose Tuesday and 1/4 dose today. Well this fish is pale and looks like he has ich and swimming into a powerhead. He has been almost perfect up until lately. No signs of anything, been nice and dark, ate like a little pig. None of that now. Is this normal with them?

 

[Humblefish]

Sounds normal for a fish with Marine Velvet Disease: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/velvet-amyloodinium-ocellatum.217570/

Have you tested your Cu level to ensure it is within therapeutic range? 0.4-0.5 ppm for Cupramine.

 

[MightyMouse85]

Just started ramping up cupramine.

 

[Maritimer]

If velvet's making an appearance, you may wish to ramp faster . . .

~Bruce

 

[melypr1985]

You are describing classic velvet. You'll want to get the copper up much quicker now. 24 hours at therapeutic levels and things should start to improve. Keep a close eye out for bacterial infections and pay close attention to the breathing and eating.

 

[MightyMouse85]

Dead.... I give up. Lost 3 fish in a week and half my corals. I am taking a break. Not getting anything new and will just keep what I have but tired of losing fish, corals, and money.

 

[Humblefish]

Sorry to hear this

 

[MightyMouse85]

3 Achilles in a row. First died before it made it to my house, second died from velvet 4 days later, this one was the best and died when I started the copper. Is it me or has the quality of the fish gone down and price up?

 

[Humblefish]

Is it me or has the quality of the fish gone down and price up?

Price keeps going up on everything, my friend. But as far as SW fish go, Marine Velvet Disease has become prevalent in wholesale facilities and LFS. And that is a disease that most Acanthurus tangs cannot withstand for too long.

 

[MightyMouse85]

Just feel so defeated

 

[Humblefish]

Just feel so defeated

It might surprise you to learn that many moons ago I went thru a 1 year period where I couldn't keep any fish alive. I wasn't QTing back then and had never even heard of flukes (which turned out to be my culprit). It was humiliating because so many people looked up to me, would ask me for advice about their tank, etc. and here I couldn't even keep a damsel alive.

I seriously thought about leaving the hobby forever. But instead I got mad at myself and decided to learn everything I could about fish diseases. What I'm trying to say here is the only way to completely overcome a weakness is to turn it into your greatest strength.