Questions on new lemon peel

[Justfbilly]

just picked up a new Lemon peel yesterday and it’s been in my QT for about 24 hours now. The fish is not eating but my main concern is that it’s breathing really heavy. I have only added 4ml of copper power to my 20 gallons QT tank. Just wondering if I should do a fresh water dip or set up another QT tank and treat with Pazipro? And ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated

 

[Nathan Milender]

just picked up a new Lemon peel yesterday and it’s been in my QT for about 24 hours now. The fish is not eating but my main concern is that it’s breathing really heavy. I have only added 4ml of copper power to my 20 gallons QT tank. Just wondering if I should do a fresh water dip or set up another QT tank and treat with Pazipro? And ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated

Eating is not a huge deal, most of them do not eat after getting shipped in a box for a couple days. Breathing can be a major problem. I generally do not do copper until everything is eating and frisky (and I often use chloroquine to avoid this issue). Get the water agitated, make sure a power head is hitting the top and there are air stones. Double check your gravity and temp. I would consider taking the copper out, especially if it was not breathing funny in the package. If it started breathing funny during drip acclimation it could be ammonia exposure. If it started after copper was added, it is likely that. Check copper compatibility for lemon peel, I have never had one.

Many would say do freshwater dip and that they cannot hurt. I have had mixed results with fish in this situation. If you think it is dying, go for it, you have nothing to lose. Make sure to match temp.

I would start by making sure lights are off and it has a hiding spot. If it hides, swims normal, and is not listless just leave it alone. Try to make more detailed observations of skin on body, in the fin rays, the gills, etc. A more narrow differential can help you decide what is an is not worth the risk for treatment.

 

[Nathan Milender]

just picked up a new Lemon peel yesterday and it’s been in my QT for about 24 hours now. The fish is not eating but my main concern is that it’s breathing really heavy. I have only added 4ml of copper power to my 20 gallons QT tank. Just wondering if I should do a fresh water dip or set up another QT tank and treat with Pazipro? And ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated

Also, double check the copper product you are using. Different products have different therapeutic levels. You can really overshoot it if you are using the wrong product with the wrong dose.

 

[Justfbilly]

Also, double check the copper product you are using. Different products have different therapeutic levels. You can really overshoot it if you are using the wrong product with the wrong dose.

Sad to say the fish didn’t make it. Soon after you responded I went to double check the gravity and the temp and he fish was dead. I did notice when I netted the fish out of the tank that it’s belly was bloated so I am wondering if it had an issue before I brought it home?

 

[Nathan Milender]

Sad to say the fish didn’t make it. Soon after you responded I went to double check the gravity and the temp and he fish was dead. I did notice when I netted the fish out of the tank that it’s belly was bloated so I am wondering if it had an issue before I brought it home?

Well that sucks. If it went that fast not likely much you could do. If it doesn't freak you out too much do an investigation. Put the fish under magnification. Check he skin, scales, fins, mouth, gills,and then cut open the belly and see what was bloating it. Might give you info for next time.