Should I end my copper treatment early?

[zatchyvsalt]

Hey everyone,

I have 2 quarantine tanks setup that is running copper power at therapeutic levels. It has been running for 23 days now. I haven’t seen any signs of ich on any of my fish for over 15days.

However my Blue throat seems to be taking the copper a bit rough and has been increasingly getting less and less active. He hangs out at the bottom, or at the top of the tank just under the surface . He is breathing quite heavily as well. He does still eat but I am worried that the copper is taking a toll on him.

I have a 40 gallon observation tank that I will be setting up today but would it be okay if I cut the treatment of my fish early and move them to the observation tank. Or should I hold out until the 30days, which is next Wednesday and hope everyone makes it.

Thank you.

 

[Spare time]

No, the copper is probably not causing an issue with the tang. What is the ppm of the copper? Was the QT cycled?

 

[sc50964]

What’s the brand of copper that you are using?

 

[zatchyvsalt]

No, the copper is probably not causing an issue with the tang. What is the ppm of the copper? Was the QT cycled?

No the tank is not cycled, I set up the hospital tank to quarantine all my fish. Regular water changes are done to keep ammonia in check. Copper is at 2.49 yesterday.

 

[zatchyvsalt]

What’s the brand of copper that you are using?

Copper power

 

[zatchyvsalt]

@vetteguy53081

 

[sc50964]

Copper power

A short video of him and the setup would help.

 

[Spare time]

No the tank is not cycled, I set up the hospital tank to quarantine all my fish. Regular water changes are done to keep ammonia in check. Copper is at 2.49 yesterday.

I'd consider at some point adding some bio-spira and a sponge to be a biofilter so you don't have to worry about ammonia.

 

[sc50964]

Although it’s true that some species of fish are more sensitive to copper thus a lower concentration would be better, it doesn’t make sense for a specie not known to be sensitive to copper treatment to go through a big part of the 30-day regime fine but change during the last portions. Something else is more likely the cause. Maybe it’s fluke if he hasn’t been treated for that.

 

[MnFish1]

Hey everyone,

I have 2 quarantine tanks setup that is running copper power at therapeutic levels. It has been running for 23 days now. I haven’t seen any signs of ich on any of my fish for over 15days.

However my Blue throat seems to be taking the copper a bit rough and has been increasingly getting less and less active. He hangs out at the bottom, or at the top of the tank just under the surface . He is breathing quite heavily as well. He does still eat but I am worried that the copper is taking a toll on him.

I have a 40 gallon observation tank that I will be setting up today but would it be okay if I cut the treatment of my fish early and move them to the observation tank. Or should I hold out until the 30days, which is next Wednesday and hope everyone makes it.

Thank you.

Since you have a protocol that you are following, I would continue that protocol until completion - unless you have a clear reason to think the protocol is causing a problem.

IMHO it is more likely that there is another parameter, whether bullying from other fish, a parameter that is off (could you be overdosing copper - are you sure about your test). Copper should not cause 'heavy breathing per se. Is it possible for you to post a video? Could the fish have another issue (Flukes, etc) not treated by copper. If you could provide some more information, that would be helpful!

 

[MnFish1]

PS - it would be somewhat odd for only one fish to be affected as compared to all of them. Which other fish are you QT'ing - and what size tank. Good aeration?

 

[zatchyvsalt]

PS - it would be somewhat odd for only one fish to be affected as compared to all of them. Which other fish are you QT'ing - and what size tank. Good aeration?

 

[zatchyvsalt]

I think I figured it out. He is housed with a gem tang and a hippo tang and I believe they are bullying him. Causing him to stress out. He is in a 29 gallon. Fins seem to be a bit frayed. I am transferring him to my 20 gallon that has my smaller fish in it. 1 clown, 4 cardinals, 4 fire goby and a social wrasse.

 

[zatchyvsalt]

PS - it would be somewhat odd for only one fish to be affected as compared to all of them. Which other fish are you QT'ing - and what size tank. Good aeration?

Replied at bottom

 

[Spare time]

I think I figured it out. He is housed with a gem tang and a hippo tang and I believe they are bullying him. Causing him to stress out. He is in a 29 gallon. Fins seem to be a bit frayed. I am transferring him to my 20 gallon that has my smaller fish in it. 1 clown, 4 cardinals, 4 fire goby and a social wrasse.

Is that another QT?

 

[zatchyvsalt]

Is that another QT?

Yeah I have two QT treating with copper, housing all my fish from my MD. When copper treatment is done I am transferring all fish to my 40gallon observation to treat with prazipro. Then holding off until my MD is fallow for 76 days.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey everyone,

I have 2 quarantine tanks setup that is running copper power at therapeutic levels. It has been running for 23 days now. I haven’t seen any signs of ich on any of my fish for over 15days.

However my Blue throat seems to be taking the copper a bit rough and has been increasingly getting less and less active. He hangs out at the bottom, or at the top of the tank just under the surface . He is breathing quite heavily as well. He does still eat but I am worried that the copper is taking a toll on him.

I have a 40 gallon observation tank that I will be setting up today but would it be okay if I cut the treatment of my fish early and move them to the observation tank. Or should I hold out until the 30days, which is next Wednesday and hope everyone makes it.

Thank you.

What copper level and how are you testing ?
You want to run the copper for 30 days and not less although no signs.

 

[zatchyvsalt]

What copper level and how are you testing ?
You want to run the copper for 30 days and not less although no signs.

2.48 today with Hanna Checker

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

2.48 today with Hanna Checker

Have you considered the frayed fins might be from flukes?

Can you post a video?

Jay

 

[zatchyvsalt]

It could be but I am going to treat all fish for flukes after the copper treatment is completed.

I will try and get a video later today. He has been laying at the bottom of the tank all day yesterday and this morning. Hasn’t moved much and isn’t eating.