Flame Hawk Not Doing Well- Need some Help

[sportscraze]

I have a flame hawk that is currently in day 26 of copper power treatment in QT.

The flame hawk until last night was in a QT with a bristle tooth, but I noticed the flame hawk was losing color, had popeye and then noticed some aggression.

I immediately got the 2nd qt up and running, matching the temp, salinity and copper level of 2.25. I also added 1tbsp per 5 gallons of episom salt to help with the popeye.

The flame hawk did eat a bit last night but I noticed a redish mark near its gills and breathing rate is elevated and not swimming at all this morning.

I’m tempted to think maybe bacterial infection and start metroplex.

I also was wondering if a FW dip to test for flukes and start Prazipro early was the best idea.

Some thoughts and help would be great.

Thank you

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a flame hawk that is currently in day 26 of copper power treatment in QT.

The flame hawk until last night was in a QT with a bristle tooth, but I noticed the flame hawk was losing color, had popeye and then noticed some aggression.

I immediately got the 2nd qt up and running, matching the temp, salinity and copper level of 2.25. I also added 1tbsp per 5 gallons of episom salt to help with the popeye.

The flame hawk did eat a bit last night but I noticed a redish mark near its gills and breathing rate is elevated and not swimming at all this morning.

I’m tempted to think maybe bacterial infection and start metroplex.

I also was wondering if a FW dip to test for flukes and start Prazipro early was the best idea.

Some thoughts and help would be great.

Thank you

As these fish are prone to flukes, do try a FW dip, same temp as display tank for 5 minutes and see if any grain looking objects dislodge. Some signs of flukes are scratching, yawning, loss of color, loss of appetite and hazy eyes. Also elevated breathing rate. If these apply, you want PraziPro treatment at 85% of recommended dosage

 

[sportscraze]

I have a flame hawk that is currently in day 26 of copper power treatment in QT.

The flame hawk until last night was in a QT with a bristle tooth, but I noticed the flame hawk was losing color, had popeye and then noticed some aggression.

I immediately got the 2nd qt up and running, matching the temp, salinity and copper level of 2.25. I also added 1tbsp per 5 gallons of episom salt to help with the popeye.

The flame hawk did eat a bit last night but I noticed a redish mark near its gills and breathing rate is elevated and not swimming at all this morning.

I’m tempted to think maybe bacterial infection and start metroplex.

I also was wondering if a FW dip to test for flukes and start Prazipro early was the best idea.

Some thoughts and help would be great.

Thank you

As these fish are prone to flukes, do try a FW dip, same temp as display tank for 5 minutes and see if any grain looking objects dislodge. Some signs of flukes are scratching, yawning, loss of color, loss of appetite and hazy eyes. Also elevated breathing rate. If these apply, you want PraziPro treatment at 85% of recommended dosage

I just completed the FW dip. Zero signs of flukes in the water.

Thoughts on next steps?

I appreciate the help!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I just completed the FW dip. Zero signs of flukes in the water.

Thoughts on next steps?

I appreciate the help!

Epsom salt will not help/work as sea salt has magnesium sulphate already. Treat eye with Maracyn as pictured below

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I have a flame hawk that is currently in day 26 of copper power treatment in QT.

The flame hawk until last night was in a QT with a bristle tooth, but I noticed the flame hawk was losing color, had popeye and then noticed some aggression.

I immediately got the 2nd qt up and running, matching the temp, salinity and copper level of 2.25. I also added 1tbsp per 5 gallons of episom salt to help with the popeye.

The flame hawk did eat a bit last night but I noticed a redish mark near its gills and breathing rate is elevated and not swimming at all this morning.

I’m tempted to think maybe bacterial infection and start metroplex.

I also was wondering if a FW dip to test for flukes and start Prazipro early was the best idea.

Some thoughts and help would be great.

Thank you

Be sure that the new QT isn't having an ammonia issue. At 26 days copper, that's close enough to 30 days that you can rule out protozoans. I'd say flukes are the next most likely issue. Only one species is large enough to see is dip water without a microscope.....

 

[sportscraze]

I have a flame hawk that is currently in day 26 of copper power treatment in QT.

The flame hawk until last night was in a QT with a bristle tooth, but I noticed the flame hawk was losing color, had popeye and then noticed some aggression.

I immediately got the 2nd qt up and running, matching the temp, salinity and copper level of 2.25. I also added 1tbsp per 5 gallons of episom salt to help with the popeye.

The flame hawk did eat a bit last night but I noticed a redish mark near its gills and breathing rate is elevated and not swimming at all this morning.

I’m tempted to think maybe bacterial infection and start metroplex.

I also was wondering if a FW dip to test for flukes and start Prazipro early was the best idea.

Some thoughts and help would be great.

Thank you

Be sure that the new QT isn't having an ammonia issue. At 26 days copper, that's close enough to 30 days that you can rule out protozoans. I'd say flukes are the next most likely issue. Only one species is large enough to see is dip water without a microscope.....

Thank you. I have media from my sump of my main tank for ammonia control.

Should I look to get API E.M. ERYTHROMYCIN as I am struggling to find Maracyn. I have kanoplex on hand and Prazipro for the next step QT after the copper power treatment.

I have not added anything as of yet.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Thank you. I have media from my sump of my main tank for ammonia control.

Should I look to get API E.M. ERYTHROMYCIN as I am struggling to find Maracyn. I have kanoplex on hand and Prazipro for the next step QT after the copper power treatment.

I have not added anything as of yet.

Erythromycin won't help the rapid breathing or not eating well. It will only help minor eye issues. I'm worried that there are flukes going on here.....

Is the fish improved at all today, after the FW dip? If so, that would confirm flukes and you should dose with prazi:

Dosing Praziquantel (PZQ)

Using Praziquantel (PZQ) to treat flukes Overview In the early 1990’s, a researcher at the New York Aquarium published a paper on using Praziquantel (PZQ) to help control flukes, a parasitic flatworm. Also known as monogenean trematodes, these fish parasites can cause significant mortality in...

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