Post-medications, all 7 fish on a hunger strike :(

[JumboShrimp]

I hope I haven’t over-medicated my fish, turning them into ‘Zombies.’ Short story: While my DT is fallow (Velvet), I have had the fish in a hospital tank. They went through 30 days of therapeutic copper (CopperSafe / Hanna Checker); then a course of treatment with General Cure (which was a ‘just-to-be-sure,’ since I had done a fresh water dip (negative) on each fish initially); then due to heavy breathing by some (still present) I fed Kanaplex+Metroplex+Focus with Garlic Guard. (None of them were too enthralled with the food.) Ammonia badge has always been yellow, as I have kept up frequent water changes. So now I have run carbon and done a 75% water change to rid the tank of the meds. The problem? The fish have no interest in food— they swim right past flake, pellets, Nori, and frozen foods. They are a Damsel, Filefish, Bi-Color Angel, V. Puffer, M. Wrasse, Tang, and Foxface. (The Foxface, Tang, and Bi-Color still seem to be breathing heavily— which also confuses me, given all the treatment(s) they have gone through.) Otherwise, no ‘odd’ behavior. Should I just give them more time, post-meds, for their appetites to return? I’d say their appetites tapered off about a week ago, and today, as I said, no eating at all. Someone talk me through this... “thanks!”

 

[ScooterV]

Any medication can suppress appetite, and the Prazi in the GC can for sure. I don't see a clear timeline, but it looks like it's only been a day or two of no interest at all, week since seeing some difference? If so, I wouldn't worry yet.

On the breathing I'd add more aeration regardless of how much you already have. It can't hurt. But you already treated with copper and GC so short of seeing a cause I wouldn't medicate for that right away unless one of the regular experts hanging out here told me too, lol.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Thank you, makes logical sense; and I have extra aeration, but I will in fact try ‘extra-extra.’

 

[pecan2phat]

While I think that it's necessary, it's still very taxing on the fish itself.
I would go through 30 days of Chloroquine Phosphate treatment for external parasite, then another 14 days of General Cure for flukes and internal worms. Another 5 days for Furan-2 if they develop anything bacterial during the initial course of treatment.
From my experience, I never have a 100% success rate and they all seem to have appetite suppression 10 days into their treatment. Most come out well if they can come through the 30 day CP but those that have had to endure the additional 14 days of GC and 5 days of Furan-2 are only at a 70% success rate for me.
The Furan-2 treatment really pushes the bio filter to the edge also.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Thank you for your insights as well! Maybe I am through the worst of it, and since they all survived to this point, perhaps their appetites will return. I will let you all know in the days ahead

 

[pecan2phat]

Just makes me appreciate the few that are offering the service.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I watched the Filefish eat today, and the Foxface at least nibbled down a few pieces. Hopefully their appetites will continue to return, and I’ll keep you all posted as to the Damsel, Tang, V. Puffer, M. Wrasse and Bi-colored Angel

 

[HotRocks]

I watched the Filefish eat today, and the Foxface at least nibbled down a few pieces. Hopefully their appetites will continue to return, and I’ll keep you all posted as to the Damsel, Tang, V. Puffer, M. Wrasse and Bi-colored Angel

Couple things to keep in mind. If you used the same tank. Copper should have cleared the velvet with no problem. So long as it's not a copper resistant strain (rare) or you didn't cross contaminate at any time during treatment.

I'd be a bit concerned to see appetite suppression upon copper removal.

I don't usually experience any appetite supression during copper, if there is any it should subside as soon as copper is reduced.

Secondary bacterial infections are common with velvet especially given a 30 day copper treatment as it weakens the immune system further.

Keep a close eye on your fish. If they were eating well in copper and are not post copper something is up.