Treating velvet survivors.

[dtr10188]

In January 2022 velvet took out most of my tank. All that’s left is 2 clowns. I treated them with copper in qt for 2 weeks. I removed the copper and add some sand and rock since my dt would be fallow for 76 days. After 76 days I reintroduced them to dt and purchased two more fish and quarantined/observe in the previous qt. They both died in 7 days with velvet. Now my concern was I have reintroduced velvet into my dt. So I bought two black mollys. 7 days later they both have velvet and doubt they will make it. My question is should I have treated the clowns with copper for the entire period my tank was fallow? Should I lower the dose if it is extended? Thanks so much for any input/help.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

In January 2022 velvet took out most of my tank. All that’s left is 2 clowns. I treated them with copper in qt for 2 weeks. I removed the copper and add some sand and rock since my dt would be fallow for 76 days. After 76 days I reintroduced them to dt and purchased two more fish and quarantined/observe in the previous qt. They both died in 7 days with velvet. Now my concern was I have reintroduced velvet into my dt. So I bought two black mollys. 7 days later they both have velvet and doubt they will make it. My question is should I have treated the clowns with copper for the entire period my tank was fallow? Should I lower the dose if it is extended? Thanks so much for any input/help.

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Typically, amine based copper products are dosed for 30 days in order to more completely control ich or velvet. I wouldn’t treat longer than 45 days. Never dose copper at less than a normal, full dose, partial doses will just let diseases through.

Are you certain of your velvet diagnosis? I ask because it is fairly rare, and people sometimes confuse it with advanced cases of ich.

Jay