If you have a picture, we might be able to help get an ID? Is he scratching on rocks at all?
Sailfin in QT on his side occasionally
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If you have a picture, we might be able to help get an ID? Is he scratching on rocks at all?
4FordFamily
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Keep in mind -- the damage you see on the outside of the fish is often minor relative to the damage the parasites are doing to the gills. They attack the unprotected (no slime coat) areas first, with the most blood and flesh that is most easily accessible. The analogy of the iceberg comes in to play.
Often by the time a fish is "covered" in parasites, the damage is too great in the gills.
In fact, I've had strains of velvet that killed a dozen or more fish before I ever saw a spot on any of them.
That could very well be the start of velvet... especially since you are being extra vigilant to catch it early 
I would expect the next wave to come on pretty quickly and be much worse.
I agree with @4FordFamily, I wouldn’t wait to get started on this. Within 24-48 hours you could be seeing losses...
I would expect the next wave to come on pretty quickly and be much worse.I agree with @4FordFamily, I wouldn’t wait to get started on this. Within 24-48 hours you could be seeing losses...
RazorD
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That could very well be the start of velvet... especially since you are being extra vigilant to catch it early
I agree with @4FordFamily, I wouldn’t wait to get started on this. Within 24-48 hours you could be seeing losses...
I need to find a tank big enough for all my fish tomorrow. Not going to be easy!
4FordFamily
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Check craigslist. I agree it could be velvet may also be flukes I would freshwater dip everyone before treatment, too, to be safe.
RazorD
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So everything seems the same the morning. On standby. Making water and scouring for a tank now just in case.
Question - would Sea hares be impacted by velvet? I know traditional inverts are not, but I lost two earlier this week but thought it was something else. Wondering now if it’s related?
Question - would Sea hares be impacted by velvet? I know traditional inverts are not, but I lost two earlier this week but thought it was something else. Wondering now if it’s related?
RazorD
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@4FordFamily @ngoodermuth @Billldg
Ok. So I went out yesterday and the biggest QT I could get was a 40 breeder and I built a 4’ stand (figuring it could accommodate a larger tank if I can get one). Water is mixed and ready to go on standby. I’m still monitoring the fish and getting ready to pull the trigger, but everything still seems the same. It had me wondering if I’m overreacting?
I was hoping to review the facts timeline again and get everyone’s thoughts.
16 days again I introduced a WT bristletooth into my DT after about a month in QT. Full disclosure, I wasn’t diligent with my med regiments because the QT process was new to me (needless to say that won’t happen again). In that time he received Prazipro and cupramine but I wasn’t diligent with testing levels and there were times where he wasn’t eating well and looked a little stressed. Plus I took delivery of a sailfin that I wanted to move into that spot. (More on that shortly)
The WT bristletooth is now thriving in the DT eating great, out much more than when in QT. A few days ago, when I started this thread I noticed my sailfin in QT was doing poor. Wasn’t sure if it was ammonia or what. Upped copper, huge water changes and he’s doing great now (rebounded quickly). Eating great, but as I mentioned earlier, I noticed a sensitivity to when I put the bright overhang basement lights on. This is when the whole Velvet topic came up. So we moved my assumption of it being velvet. I assumed it would’ve been brought in by the sailfin if this was the case as the purple still in that QT never showed a sign and the WT bristletooth is doing great. Then panic set in that maybe it was the WT bristletooth that started this all and I may have introduced velvet in my DT. Now my hippo was surfing into the powerhead and has slight scuffs near his back side. I assumed this was him laying on rocks when he sleeps though. I’ve had him for like 3 years and he does this all the time. He’s eating great and seems to be breathing fine. At just the right view there a shimmer to him which I can’t tell if it’s just a reflection off the light, his normal look, or the early signs of that “sugar” look you always read about. For the 3 days that I’ve been looking at him, this has not changed at all. I’m starting to think I may be overreacting in my plan of capturing all fish and setting up another hospital tank for weeks/months (reasons below)
- WT Bristletooth (which would’ve been the “host fish” of velvet) is absolutely fine and thriving being out of meds for 16 days.
- as detailed above, Hippo seems the same if not slightly better, in appearance
- other fish (yellow tang, magnificent foxface, pair clowns, royal gramma show no signs).
If that’s the case, and the DT is velvet free, I’m back to my original plan that it’s Velvet or Ammonia damage in my QT (if velvet then it brought in by sailfin). Either way, I’ll treat it as velvet and keep copper going.
Thoughts? Sorry for all the questions and Long post. I wish I could get better pics.
Thanks in advance!
Ok. So I went out yesterday and the biggest QT I could get was a 40 breeder and I built a 4’ stand (figuring it could accommodate a larger tank if I can get one). Water is mixed and ready to go on standby. I’m still monitoring the fish and getting ready to pull the trigger, but everything still seems the same. It had me wondering if I’m overreacting?
I was hoping to review the facts timeline again and get everyone’s thoughts.
16 days again I introduced a WT bristletooth into my DT after about a month in QT. Full disclosure, I wasn’t diligent with my med regiments because the QT process was new to me (needless to say that won’t happen again). In that time he received Prazipro and cupramine but I wasn’t diligent with testing levels and there were times where he wasn’t eating well and looked a little stressed. Plus I took delivery of a sailfin that I wanted to move into that spot. (More on that shortly)
The WT bristletooth is now thriving in the DT eating great, out much more than when in QT. A few days ago, when I started this thread I noticed my sailfin in QT was doing poor. Wasn’t sure if it was ammonia or what. Upped copper, huge water changes and he’s doing great now (rebounded quickly). Eating great, but as I mentioned earlier, I noticed a sensitivity to when I put the bright overhang basement lights on. This is when the whole Velvet topic came up. So we moved my assumption of it being velvet. I assumed it would’ve been brought in by the sailfin if this was the case as the purple still in that QT never showed a sign and the WT bristletooth is doing great. Then panic set in that maybe it was the WT bristletooth that started this all and I may have introduced velvet in my DT. Now my hippo was surfing into the powerhead and has slight scuffs near his back side. I assumed this was him laying on rocks when he sleeps though. I’ve had him for like 3 years and he does this all the time. He’s eating great and seems to be breathing fine. At just the right view there a shimmer to him which I can’t tell if it’s just a reflection off the light, his normal look, or the early signs of that “sugar” look you always read about. For the 3 days that I’ve been looking at him, this has not changed at all. I’m starting to think I may be overreacting in my plan of capturing all fish and setting up another hospital tank for weeks/months (reasons below)
- WT Bristletooth (which would’ve been the “host fish” of velvet) is absolutely fine and thriving being out of meds for 16 days.
- as detailed above, Hippo seems the same if not slightly better, in appearance
- other fish (yellow tang, magnificent foxface, pair clowns, royal gramma show no signs).
If that’s the case, and the DT is velvet free, I’m back to my original plan that it’s Velvet or Ammonia damage in my QT (if velvet then it brought in by sailfin). Either way, I’ll treat it as velvet and keep copper going.
Thoughts? Sorry for all the questions and Long post. I wish I could get better pics.
Thanks in advance!
4FordFamily
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You are not overreacting. In the event that the ID was wrong without QT it’s just a matter of time before you introduce and kill your fish off in DT.
I know it’s not fun but you’re doing the right thing.
I know it’s not fun but you’re doing the right thing.
I think getting the QT up and running is the best thing to do. Hippos are known to scratch themselves up from time to time, so that could be the scuff marks... but I would be concerned about the powerhead surfing. And remember, velvet and ich are alike in that they come on in waves... with each wave worse and more numerous than the last.
You can start catching fish now, in the case that it is a calm before the storm... and put them in the QT for observation for a while to make sure that there is nothing more going on. Or you can go ahead and re-treat being more vigilant with testing, for peace of mind.
Or, you can wait and watch closely a bit longer... but realize that your risk for losses if it IS velvet will be higher, and there is a good chance you’ll have to tear down everything to catch them all in an emergency situation... whereas now you might have a bit more time to catch them using a trap or acclimation box.
You can start catching fish now, in the case that it is a calm before the storm... and put them in the QT for observation for a while to make sure that there is nothing more going on. Or you can go ahead and re-treat being more vigilant with testing, for peace of mind.
Or, you can wait and watch closely a bit longer... but realize that your risk for losses if it IS velvet will be higher, and there is a good chance you’ll have to tear down everything to catch them all in an emergency situation... whereas now you might have a bit more time to catch them using a trap or acclimation box.
Billldg
My Gem Tang Is Watching You
I agree with @4FordFamily, you r not over reacting. the window for surviving velvet is much more narrower, so acting pre actively is the smart thing to do.
RazorD
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Quick update for thread posterity- after a few weeks of very close observation (without treatment), I think I’m in the clear. The markings on the hippo went away after a day or two so I’m thinking it was a scuff from sleeping in tight areas. Everyone is still eating like a champ. Another week and a half or two and I move the QT tangs to the DT. Fingers crossed.
Thanks all!
Thanks all!
