Sick fish looking for guidance

3mm3 · Jan 29, 2017

At first I thought I had ICK. Then I thought maybe I had marine velvet.
I began fish treatment with API Super ICK Cure. Unsuccessful.
Began treating with Cupramine on the 16th this month. The fish Cleared up but then became covered again. I have tested constantly to ensure proper copper level daily.

Picture was taken yesterday.
Just looking for some help, I don't want to loose any more fish.

melypr1985 · Jan 29, 2017

What's the level you are keeping the copper at? Any other symptoms to go along with it?

3mm3 · Jan 29, 2017

I am keeping the copper level at .5mg/l. It has been at this level for 10 days now.
I had noticed one of the fish kept swimming into the current(that fish was lost 9 days ago).
At times the hipo tang almost looks like it has a cloudy film on it. The spots had run a cycle on him three times now over the last 5 weeks. It took some time to trap my fish and transfer them. Also the spots remain for 2 to 3 days.
My wrasse has only had a couple spots the entire time.

3mm3 · Jan 29, 2017

Here is a new picture from tonight. Best I could get he hates the camera.

New spots on him. Is there anyone that can ID this problem. I feel I'm medicating for the wrong issue.
Thanks!

melypr1985 · Jan 29, 2017

@Humblefish I need another pair of eyes on this one.

Humblefish · Jan 30, 2017

Do the white things appear to be protruding outward or under his skin? This could also be damage from flukes. Have you treated with Prazipro yet?

3mm3 · Jan 30, 2017

They look to be protruding outward.
I have not treated with prazipro. It arrives tomorrow. Should I end cupramine and begin prazipro treatments?
Thanks!

Brew12 · Jan 30, 2017

Humblefish said:
Do the white things appear to be protruding outward or under his skin? This could also be damage from flukes. Have you treated with Prazipro yet?

Could those be dying flukes? According to Seachem, Cupramine will kill flukes at .5mg/L

melypr1985 · Jan 30, 2017

Brew12 said:
Could those be dying flukes? According to Seachem, Cupramine will kill flukes at .5mg/L

I've tested that at the store and found it to not work. I still have to treat with prazipro.

melypr1985 · Jan 30, 2017

3mm3 said:
They look to be protruding outward.
I have not treated with prazipro. It arrives tomorrow. Should I end cupramine and begin prazipro treatments?
Thanks!

You can do both carefully. Sometimes a bacterial bloom can occur when combining these. I've found that if they are not dosed on the same day then you can minimize this risk.

Brew12 · Jan 30, 2017

melypr1985 said:
You can do both carefully. Sometimes a bacterial bloom can occur when combining these. I've found that if they are not dosed on the same day then you can minimize this risk.

Would you recommend doing a fresh water dip to confirm flukes prior to adding Prazi?

melypr1985 · Jan 30, 2017

Brew12 said:
Would you recommend doing a fresh water dip to confirm flukes prior to adding Prazi?

absolutely.

Humblefish · Jan 30, 2017

FWIW; copper supposedly kills Gyrodactylus (FW flukes); but is ineffective against monogeneans (SW flukes).

Brew12 · Jan 30, 2017

Humblefish said:
FWIW; copper supposedly kills Gyrodactylus (FW flukes); but is ineffective against monogeneans (SW flukes).

Good to know, thanks!

3mm3 · Jan 30, 2017

I'm prepping water for a fresh water dip tomorrow.
Also I'll try to get a picture of the entire fish.
I want to thank you all for the help so far.

3mm3 · Jan 31, 2017

Completed 5 minute fresh water dip. I am very unsure if anything actually came off him. I did see 4 things that may have been flukes but not sure. Here are some pictures. The fish looks like crap but still swims around and eats but does not have a big appetite. Also cupramine has been running for 2 weeks at this point.
What do I need to treat for?
The list of meds I now have are: Cupramine, Melafix, Prazipro, Metroplex, Paraguard and Chloroquine Phosphate.
Thank you!

Brew12 · Jan 31, 2017

3mm3 said:
Completed 5 minute fresh water dip. I am very unsure if anything actually came off him. I did see 4 things that may have been flukes but not sure. Here are some pictures. The fish looks like crap but still swims around and eats but does not have a big appetite. Also cupramine has been running for 2 weeks at this point.
What do I need to treat for?
The list of meds I now have are: Cupramine, Melafix, Prazipro, Metroplex, Paraguard and Chloroquine Phosphate.
Thank you!

You would have known it if there was a significant fluke population. Very obvious when doing a fresh water dip.

I've never seen anything like this so I am going to continue to watch quietly from the sidelines.

Hopefully Humble or Mel can help with their much more extensive experience!

Empress · Jan 31, 2017

It looks like ich, but if you've been using cupermine you wouldn't see those dots. What is your test kit reading for the cupermine? What test kit are you using?

Did you use Prazi at all? 2x at seven days apart?

See Melypr1985's video on how to perform a fresh water dip. It shows what flukes look like.

We need @Humblefish or @melypr1985

3mm3 · Jan 31, 2017

I have not treated with Prazipro yet. The first medication I used was API Super ICK Cure. After that cycle I went into treating with cupramine. I miscounted earlier as tomorrow would be day 14 at full dose.
For testing Copper level I am using Seachem Multitest Copper.
Here is my test just completed today. Top right corner is the Quarantine water and to the left is the reference test solution (reference value is .5mg/l)