Social fairy wrasse opinion needed

[scrappy35]

I have a fairy wrasse in qt, no meds yet. It and a watchman goby are on day 8 of observation. Just got my copper and Hanna test kit. Looking at the tail it looks a little shredded and it rarely seems to open. Fish eats fine. I will attach pics and a short video to see what you guys think about tail, swimming and if it needs treated with something specific.
20g qt

thanks
shane

 

[scrappy35]

Video wouldn’t post. I’ll work on that

 

[scrappy35]

 

[scrappy35]

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

While I wouldn't expect the watchman to have caused this fin damage, something obviously did. I doubt that it is a primary bacterial infection, the fin looks physically damaged. I also think I can see some mucus/damage to its right pectoral fin.

I personally do not use more than a 72 hour observational period on new fish - too easy for diseases to start up during observation, and then, treating an active disease is always harder than preventing them.

What copper are you using? You'll want to get started on that, bring it up to full dose in 48 hours.
Is the ammonia at/near zero?
You may need to consider using antibiotics for the fin damage, or at least ensure that the goby isn't the culprit.

Jay

 

[scrappy35]

Thanks Jay, I have cupramine and will start treatment now. Ammoni is pretty much 0. Is there an antibiotic you would run with the copper? I have a few on hand for my freshwater tanks.

 

[scrappy35]

Can I use cupramine and my Hanna copper hr tester?

 

[scrappy35]

Going to get copersafe so I can follow instruction. what about antibiotics with it?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Going to get copersafe so I can follow instruction. what about antibiotics with it?

Hanna tester will work with Cupramine or coppersafe, but the tested levels are different: 0.50 ppm for Cupramine and 2.25 for coppersafe. For antibiotics, any broad spectrum gram negative one will work; furan-2, Neoplex , even maracyn 2 are possible choices.
Jay