Sailfin in QT on his side occasionally

[RazorD]

@GoldeneyeRet that's interesting. That would feed into the fact that the purple is absolutely fine and the sailfin was before prazi.

Also, I wonder if my ammonia badge is faulty (admit it's rare)? If it is ammonia damage, I've read the purple is much more tolerant to those conditions.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

I would not say defective badges are rare. I have had several ammonia badges that did not work. The circle just kind of looked grey and never changed. They were new at the time.

It's a possibility

 

[ngoodermuth]

Thanks. Would all of that be ok but n the current QT with cupramine? Also, does any of this change given the purple tang is acting perfectly fine? No symptoms at all?

Yes, it’s fine to use the trifecta with copper, again with TONS of aeration. When you think to yourself “this is probably overkill...” it’s probably about right lol

The acriflavine you do as a bath in a separate container, I use a 5g bucket, with a small heater and airstone to keep it to temp and aerated.

 

[RazorD]

Update - I went home last night and he was swimming around seemingly ok. He ate a little and then Started the side thing again. I did a 50% water change and upped copper a bit. He ate well this morning (and oddly seems to behave better with less lighting). I set up a camera so I could check in on him throughout the day while at work and just saw him swimming around normally and picking at nori.

This has me starting to think it may be high ammonia levels (which would mean the Seachem badge isn’t working). It would explain why the purple is still fine (I’ve read they seem to be more tolerant of poor conditions).

We’ll see.

 

[RazorD]

@ngoodermuth @Billldg

Update/question - I checked in on the sailfin via camera all day (I had low lighting in my basement and a camera set up). He was eating nori and swimming around perfectly normal all day. Went home and fed him and he ate great. Then I noticed his behavior changed when I put the larger bright overhead ceiling light I have down there. He started to tip to his side a little for the first time all day in a corner. I immediately shut the big bright light and he was fine all night. Ate flakes great this morning at 4am. Thinking it may be sensitivity/fear of the light, I put the light on and fed frozen LRS with garlic (usually promotes his most aggressive eating) arounf 8:30am. He hid in a PVC pipe and wouldn't come out for the food at all. I shut the light and he came right out to eat.

So, while I originally thought it may have been ammonia related, the light sensitivity reaction has me thinking it could be velvet? Thoughts?

Thanks again!

 

[Billldg]

@ngoodermuth @Billldg

Update/question - I checked in on the sailfin via camera all day (I had low lighting in my basement and a camera set up). He was eating nori and swimming around perfectly normal all day. Went home and fed him and he ate great. Then I noticed his behavior changed when I put the larger bright overhead ceiling light I have down there. He started to tip to his side a little for the first time all day in a corner. I immediately shut the big bright light and he was fine all night. Ate flakes great this morning at 4am. Thinking it may be sensitivity/fear of the light, I put the light on and fed frozen LRS with garlic (usually promotes his most aggressive eating) arounf 8:30am. He hid in a PVC pipe and wouldn't come out for the food at all. I shut the light and he came right out to eat.

So, while I originally thought it may have been ammonia related, the light sensitivity reaction has me thinking it could be velvet? Thoughts?

Thanks again!

Glad to hear it, the little guy may need some time to adapt. Either way I'm glad it is swimming normally because being a tang fanatic myself, they r beautiful fish.

 

[ngoodermuth]

I've suspected velvet, being kept at bay by the copper... it's good you got the level back up relatively quickly, but I would make sure you try to keep him in therapeutic level for at least 15 days since the level was brought back, before transferring to another tank. Or, 30 days otherwise. If he continues to have issues and you begin to suspect copper-sensitivity might be an issue, CP would be another option.

Also, secondary infections are very common with velvet... so it wouldn't hurt to add one of the antibiotics mentioned - either kanaplex or furan-2, for good measure. I'd probably use kanaplex first, since the furan-2 can interfere with copper tests (turns everything green lol)

 

[RazorD]

Thank you both!

 

[RazorD]

If it is velvet, how long would symptoms take to show once fully out of copper?

 

[Poseidon03]

The problem with velvet is that when it does show on the skin, it is typically too late. It typically infects the gills first and does a lot of irreversible damage there.

 

[ngoodermuth]

If it is velvet, how long would symptoms take to show once fully out of copper?

As long as the copper stays therapeutic long enough it shouldn’t, but two weeks of observation copper-free is usually long enough to be sure it’s gone. The lifecycle is fairly short.

 

[RazorD]

The problem with velvet is that when it does show on the skin, it is typically too late. It typically infects the gills first and does a lot of irreversible damage there.

Understood. Just trying to figure out which fish was the one who brought it in. The QT is divided and the current spot the sailfin is occupying was held by another rang now in my DT. I wasn’t as diligent with my copper level testing on that one and concerned hat I may have moved him (and velvet) into my DT. He’s been in there and seems great for about 2 weeks now with no signs. Just want to know if I’m in the clear for DT?

 

[RazorD]

As long as the copper stays therapeutic long enough it shouldn’t, but two weeks of observation copper-free is usually long enough to be sure it’s gone. The lifecycle is fairly short.

Great, thanks! I think DT may be in the clear then. That would’ve been a nightmare that I wouldn’t be prepared for.

 

[ngoodermuth]

Understood. Just trying to figure out which fish was the one who brought it in. The QT is divided and the current spot the sailfin is occupying was held by another rang now in my DT. I wasn’t as diligent with my copper level testing on that one and concerned hat I may have moved him (and velvet) into my DT. He’s been in there and seems great for about 2 weeks now with no signs. Just want to know if I’m in the clear for DT?

Sub-therapeutic copper CAN suppress parasites. That’s a little more “iffy”. I’d keep a close watch on the fish for at least another week or two...

 

[RazorD]

Sub-therapeutic copper CAN suppress parasites. That’s a little more “iffy”. I’d keep a close watch on the fish for at least another week or two...

Ugh...I’m in a world of hurt if my DT has it l.

 

[RazorD]

@ngoodermuth —- and now I’m seeing small signs my hippo in the DT could be infected. There’s no way I could get all my fish out for treatment if that the case.

Doesn’t look like I’m going to be sleeping for a while....

 

[4FordFamily]

@ngoodermuth —- and now I’m seeing small signs my hippo in the DT could be infected. There’s no way I could get all my fish out for treatment if that the case.

Doesn’t look like I’m going to be sleeping for a while....

I would recommend this course of action. No fun, but we've been there, too. Good luck, friend!

I agree with everything @ngoodermuth has said, not that anyone needs my validation she's fantastic. Just easier than typing my own post LOL

 

[RazorD]

@4FordFamily - that's the problem though. I really don't have a course of action here. I have a small (full) QT setup currently and don't have a tank or enough space to set up another larger QT.

 

[4FordFamily]

@4FordFamily - that's the problem though. I really don't have a course of action here. I have a small (full) QT setup currently and don't have a tank or enough space to set up another larger QT.

I'd get a larger QT if you can, or use a large rubbermaid bin if you must. Velvet is no joke and if you wait you may not have any fish to save. It goes from 0-100 in as little as 24 hours.

 

[RazorD]

I know. I’m going to give it until tomorrow to be sure that I’m not premature. The hippo has a few small spots near his back side today, but I thought it may be because he sleeps on his side tucked into the rock-work. He was swimming into the powerhead for a few minutes which is what prompted my concern.