QT help please

[Smite]

Last day of copper for my fish is today. They all did well until a few days ago I lost my melenarus. It seemed to come out of the blue. I've been checking my copper level (copper power at 2.5 per instructions) with my hanna kit and its been a steady reading. My ammonia alert badge has stayed safe for the duration of QT.

Yesterday my fathead anthias eye was swollen. One eye I assumed injury from darting since its kind of shy. I started feeding with metroplex/kanaplex/focus yesterday. 1 scoop of each in the food and then the remainder of scoops per instructions in the sump. Today I come out and both eyes are huge on the fish. Everyone is eating and acting normal.

I have yet to treat for flukes. I thought my tank contracted velvet so I went straight to copper with these guys.


I plan to do a massive water change today and add some carbon. Tomorrow I'll check my copper level and if 0 I'll start my prazipro treatment for flukes and from there continue with kanaplex + metroplex every two days.

Does this sound about right or is there another step I should be taking specifically for the anthias that has dual pop eyes going on.


Thanks for any help!

 

[Big G]

Are the eyes cloudy?

 

[Big G]

If you mix Prazipro with antibiotics you can sometimes get a bacterial bloom (very cloudy water) in the tank due to the Oxybispropanol in the Prazipro. And this can cause an oxygen deficit in the water column. Turn powerheads up toward the surface to break water surface tension. Can also add an airstone to help re-oxygenate the water.

I wouldn't dose the Prazipro at this time, unless you are seeing evidence of flukes: cloudy eyes, flashing and of course a freshwater dip would confirm the presence of flukes.

Antibiotics are very slow acting in saltwater fish. You need to dose 10-14 days for improvement. If these were my fish, I would dose the antibiotics alone first if freshwater dip didn't show signs of flukes.

Too many meds at once are hard on fish.

Here's the prescribed treatment for bacteria infections/popeye from Humblefish:

Bacterial infections:

Symptoms - Sometimes it's self-describing: Popeye/cloudy eyes, fin & tail rot, dropsy (bloated fish), etc. But some other bacterial infections, such as furunculosis, hemorrhagic septicemia, etc., can have varying visible symptoms. Any redness or open sores/wounds on a fish should be viewed with suspicion. Also, a white film or fungus-looking growth may denote a bacterial infection. It’s important to note that in many cases a bacterial infection is usually secondary in nature to a parasitic infestation such as ich, meaning if a fish has been battling ich for a while then his immune system has been lowered. This makes infection more likely for many opportunistic, harmful bacteria.

Treatment options - Broad spectrum antibiotic medication i.e. one that treats both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial diseases. Examples of this include Furan-2, Kanamycin aka Seachem Kanaplex, Nitrofuracin Green Powder, Triple Sulfa Powder, or a combination of using both Erythromycin & Minocycline. The latter can be accomplished (albeit expensively) by using freshwater Maracyn 1 & 2 and then doubling the dosage for saltwater use. When battling a particularly nasty bacterial infection, combining Furan-2, Kanaplex and metronidazole (ex. Seachem MetroPlex) can be very effective (and safe). Props to “hedgedrew” for enlightening me of this.

 

[Gmj4409]

I thought the Hanna copper checker was freshwater only? Was this your first time using it?

 

[Smite]

I thought the Hanna copper checker was freshwater only? Was this your first time using it?

I have used the Hanna copper checker LR previously. It seemed to work fine. I slightly underdosed per gallon and it came out about where I thought it would, then added from there. After you reply I've been searching around and found a thread that stated Hanna said it is not compatible with saltwater. You got me thinking whether I've been over dosing or under dosing though. When i get time I plan to do a side by side test rodi/saltwater (1.026) @ the same temp & dose. I think that should tell me if I've been off this whole time.

If you mix Prazipro with antibiotics you can sometimes get a bacterial bloom (very cloudy water) in the tank due to the Oxybispropanol in the Prazipro. And this can cause an oxygen deficit in the water column. Turn powerheads up toward the surface to break water surface tension. Can also add an airstone to help re-oxygenate the water.

I wouldn't dose the Prazipro at this time, unless you are seeing evidence of flukes: cloudy eyes, flashing and of course a freshwater dip would confirm the presence of flukes.

Antibiotics are very slow acting in saltwater fish. You need to dose 10-14 days for improvement. If these were my fish, I would dose the antibiotics alone first if freshwater dip didn't show signs of flukes.

Too many meds at once are hard on fish.

Here's the prescribed treatment for bacteria infections/popeye from Humblefish:

Bacterial infections:

Symptoms - Sometimes it's self-describing: Popeye/cloudy eyes, fin & tail rot, dropsy (bloated fish), etc. But some other bacterial infections, such as furunculosis, hemorrhagic septicemia, etc., can have varying visible symptoms. Any redness or open sores/wounds on a fish should be viewed with suspicion. Also, a white film or fungus-looking growth may denote a bacterial infection. It’s important to note that in many cases a bacterial infection is usually secondary in nature to a parasitic infestation such as ich, meaning if a fish has been battling ich for a while then his immune system has been lowered. This makes infection more likely for many opportunistic, harmful bacteria.

Treatment options - Broad spectrum antibiotic medication i.e. one that treats both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial diseases. Examples of this include Furan-2, Kanamycin aka Seachem Kanaplex, Nitrofuracin Green Powder, Triple Sulfa Powder, or a combination of using both Erythromycin & Minocycline. The latter can be accomplished (albeit expensively) by using freshwater Maracyn 1 & 2 and then doubling the dosage for saltwater use. When battling a particularly nasty bacterial infection, combining Furan-2, Kanaplex and metronidazole (ex. Seachem MetroPlex) can be very effective (and safe). Props to “hedgedrew” for enlightening me of this.

Great information and thank you!

I've noticed some head twitching and occassional flashing in my yellow tang. I dosed prazipro yesterday to see if that helps. The anthia also had white string poop yesterday. I'll add in the antibiotics in a few days. Then some epsom salt

 

[4FordFamily]

I have used the Hanna copper checker LR previously. It seemed to work fine. I slightly underdosed per gallon and it came out about where I thought it would, then added from there. After you reply I've been searching around and found a thread that stated Hanna said it is not compatible with saltwater. You got me thinking whether I've been over dosing or under dosing though. When i get time I plan to do a side by side test rodi/saltwater (1.026) @ the same temp & dose. I think that should tell me if I've been off this whole time.

Great information and thank you!

I've noticed some head twitching and occassional flashing in my yellow tang. I dosed prazipro yesterday to see if that helps. The anthia also had white string poop yesterday. I'll add in the antibiotics in a few days. Then some epsom salt

The eyes as you describe will require immediate treatment. I’d skip the prazi and move immediately to kanaplex, metroplex, and furan 2 and follow humbles instructions above by @Big G

Edit: I see you dosed prazi. It already did it’s thing. Change 100% water and dose antibiotics ASAP.

 

[Gmj4409]

In regards to your Hanna Copper Checker: it would be very interesting to hear about your results with a comparison check when you have time. You would need an API Copper Test to compare to.
When you get a chance - understand bigger priorities right now. Thanks

 

[Smite]

The eyes as you describe will require immediate treatment. I’d skip the prazi and move immediately to kanaplex, metroplex, and furan 2 and follow humbles instructions above by @Big G

Edit: I see you dosed prazi. It already did it’s thing. Change 100% water and dose antibiotics ASAP.

I lost the anthias unfortunately. I did the water change but it was too late. To my surprise my tank erupted with velvet again as well, so I'm guessing something is off with my copper checker. I still plan to do the test later on but I'm not trusting it again

I bought CP off eBay and had it shipped overnight. Arrived Friday and I dosed slightly over the minimum dosage that night. Still see spots but the fish seem noticeably less stressed. I plan to continue the kanaplex and metroplex with focus and garlic unless anyone feels that's a bad idea.

In regards to your Hanna Copper Checker: it would be very interesting to hear about your results with a comparison check when you have time. You would need an API Copper Test to compare to.
When you get a chance - understand bigger priorities right now. Thanks

I think I may have one. I'll check the expiration date. I was thinking of just comparing rodi with copper added the saltwater at 1.026 with the same amount of copper. Both samples at 77F. Would be good to see next to API as well. Thanks for the idea.

 

[Gmj4409]

Sorry for your loss
Good to hear you’re going CP route. Good luck!

 

[4FordFamily]

I lost the anthias unfortunately. I did the water change but it was too late. To my surprise my tank erupted with velvet again as well, so I'm guessing something is off with my copper checker. I still plan to do the test later on but I'm not trusting it again

I bought CP off eBay and had it shipped overnight. Arrived Friday and I dosed slightly over the minimum dosage that night. Still see spots but the fish seem noticeably less stressed. I plan to continue the kanaplex and metroplex with focus and garlic unless anyone feels that's a bad idea.



I think I may have one. I'll check the expiration date. I was thinking of just comparing rodi with copper added the saltwater at 1.026 with the same amount of copper. Both samples at 77F. Would be good to see next to API as well. Thanks for the idea.

If you don’t have any fish with cloudy eyes I would bail on the antibiotics.

Sorry for your loss and troubles, believe me I’ve been there!

 

[Smite]

Thanks for your help guys.

The rest of the fish look like they will make it and are doing well in CP. After reading some more on CP it looks like people have trouble with it and anthias & some wrasse, I think that was what ultimately did my anthias in.