Purple tang weak

[Veteran Reefer]

Seems to be swimming strange and in a weird way. Tank mates are doing just fine. It goes through weird bouts of just drifting then swimming fine.

 

[Veteran Reefer]

They have been in copper for 26 days at 0.50 or slightly higher. Could the sustained levels of copper be too much? Cupramine.

 

[Veteran Reefer]

@Reefing Mama let's just hope someone replies to us.

 

[Veteran Reefer]

.

 

[Uncle99]

Why was he in copper?
Are you trying to rid something?
They don’t like copper much, the treatment is stressful in an already stressful situation. In general, tangs seem to have issues with long copper runs.
Way, way to much medicating going on these days.
In 30 years I have only had to use meds once, for ick on a clown.
Get him in a stable, oxygenated environment.
I 100% recommend QT, but meds only when there’s a direct need.

 

[Veteran Reefer]

One of the tank mates(gem) had a few spots on it so started cupramine on the group.

 

[Uncle99]

in QT?
Copper will suppress appetites.
Are the “spots” gone?
Are we talking Ick spots (oval shaped whitish/grey and countable, or tiny round like flour and totally uncountable (velvet)?
Are they eating?

 

[Veteran Reefer]

Yes, a few days into it the gem developed a few spots. We have 2 forty breeders one medicated, one observed. We can't put it up top because there is a large purple tang in the top tank with a yellow belly blue Hippo. We can't keep the larger purple.

in QT?

 

[Veteran Reefer]

Setup

 

[Veteran Reefer]

in QT?
Copper will suppress appetites.
Are the “spots” gone?
Are we talking Ick spots (oval shaped whitish/grey and countable, or tiny round like flour and totally uncountable (velvet)?
Are they eating?

A few countable spots likely ich. They are gone now but only a few days left in treatment cycle. They have all been eating like pigs, the purple does not seem to have much appetite in the past 24-48hrs though the other two are fine.

 

[Veteran Reefer]

The big guy up in top tank would likely be aggressive to the smaller tangs I have on bottom as he is larger by atleast an inch maybe more. I've had him listed here and on FB but no takers as of yet.

 

[Uncle99]

Ok, got ya.
Fully agree, can’t move.
Maybe consider pulling out the copper.
What’s salinity in the bottom QT?
Do you run your QT with lower salinity?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

The big guy up in top tank would likely be aggressive to the smaller tangs I have on bottom as he is larger by atleast an inch maybe more. I've had him listed here and on FB but no takers as of yet.

While Cupramine is a bit harsher than coppersafe or copper power, tangs can handle 0.50 for 30 days with no issue.
You said it might be running a tad higher though? What are you testing the copper with?
Have you added any reducing agents like ammonia removers?
How is the water chemistry in the tank?
Jay

 

[Veteran Reefer]

Norm to display @ 1.025

Ok, got ya.
Fully agree, can’t move.
Maybe consider pulling out the copper.
What’s salinity in the bottom QT?
Do you run your QT with lower salinity?

 

[Veteran Reefer]

Did approximately 50% wc today

 

[Veteran Reefer]

No ammonia reducing agents in tank as it was set up with seeded media and turbo start about 3 weeks or so prior to receiving the fish.

 

[Veteran Reefer]

Using Hanna HR copper checker.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

No ammonia reducing agents in tank as it was set up with seeded media and turbo start about 3 weeks or so prior to receiving the fish.

So pH is above 8?
Jay

 

[Veteran Reefer]

Pics for reference

 

[Veteran Reefer]

Nitrate was high today @ about 30 before water change. Now down to about 15.