Help! How do I treat Velvet without Formalin??

[Brah02]

I have a few fish that have been in QT since Friday, and unfortunately it seems two have what seems to be Velvet, so the other 3 I am sure are affected too. I can't find any Formalin close by and I want to get them treated ASAP to save them. There is so much info online and I am freaking out I cant comprehend it all right now. I just need a step by step instruction for my best chance. I have over $500 in fish I need to save!

 

[Miami Reef]

You don’t need formalin for velvet!!

Just use copper power or copper safe at 2.0-2.3ppm

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a few fish that have been in QT since Friday, and unfortunately it seems two have what seems to be Velvet, so the other 3 I am sure are affected too. I can't find any Formalin close by and I want to get them treated ASAP to save them. There is so much info online and I am freaking out I cant comprehend it all right now. I just need a step by step instruction for my best chance. I have over $500 in fish I need to save!

Avoid formalin if at all possible and go with a safe method of copper- Coppersafe which is a chelated form of treatment and administered for a full 30 days at treatment level 2.25ppm with sir stone added for oxygen supply and also monitor ammonia level with a reliable test kit
Formalin offers both vapor and handling risks

 

[Brah02]

Avoid formalin if at all possible and go with a safe method of copper- Coppersafe which is a chelated form of treatment and administered for a full 30 days at treatment level 2.25ppm with sir stone added for oxygen supply and also monitor ammonia level with a reliable test kit
Formalin offers both vapor and handling risks

Thank you for this. I have some coppersafe. Would you suggest doing a freshwater dip first? I read that can help too. Do I use RODI or dechlorinated tap?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thank you for this. I have some coppersafe. Would you suggest doing a freshwater dip first? I read that can help too. Do I use RODI or dechlorinated tap?

Freshwater will not impact velvet- go straight to copper level within 24 hours

 

[MnFish1]

I have a few fish that have been in QT since Friday, and unfortunately it seems two have what seems to be Velvet, so the other 3 I am sure are affected too. I can't find any Formalin close by and I want to get them treated ASAP to save them. There is so much info online and I am freaking out I cant comprehend it all right now. I just need a step by step instruction for my best chance. I have over $500 in fish I need to save!

I would use copper as others have said ... Formalin would not be a first choice for velvet (assuming thats what they have) - if you give some more information - it might be easier to help you? The key is 'is this really velvet' - and I guess I don't have any evidence that it's not something else. Additionally - I would do any treating in a hospital QT type tank - rather than a display tank.

As far as a step by step instruction - there is a stickie about quarantining fish with the protocol we use - at the top of the forum - which should help. Additionally, if you can provide some more information/pictures - while you prepare the quarantine - it would be nice.

PS - if it is velvet - timing is of the essence - so its important to get things set up ASAP and if you don't have time for pictures, etc - just follow the protocol - please ask any questions you have

 

[Brah02]

 

[Brah02]

It’s hard to tell in my pics but it’s white fuzzy all over their body

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

It’s hard to tell in my pics but it’s white fuzzy all over their body

The primary symptom of true velvet is rapid breathing and not eating. This can be combined with fish hovering in water currents and then death in a few days. Velvet typically doesn’t cause skin changes until late in the infection.
If you can post a video of the fish, I might be able to diagnosis it for you.

 

[Brah02]

The primary symptom of true velvet is rapid breathing and not eating. This can be combined with fish hovering in water currents and then death in a few days. Velvet typically doesn’t cause skin changes until late in the infection.
If you can post a video of the fish, I might be able to diagnosis it for you.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

If the tank has good aeration (not just circulation, but air bubbles rising to the surface) and if the water tests out good, (ammonia less than 0.25 ppm) then yes, this does look like velvet. Coppersafe or copper power at 2.25 ppm, ASAP would be the best treatment.

As a side note - you seem to have all cryptic fish in this tank, but with no cover for them to hide in. While you shouldn't used calcium based rock, you can cut up bits of PVC pipe to use as hiding places.

 

[Ryan - Serious Reefs]

If it were me, here's what I'd do: The most crucial step with velvet is to choose a treatment plan and act swiftly.

1. Start with a hydrogen peroxide bath to halt its progression (google it).
2. Follow up with your preferred copper treatment method. Personally, I'd use the 80/20 Method, especially if I haven't prepared a biological filter. Elliot's advice has proven reliable, so I follow his guidance.

 

[Brah02]

If the tank has good aeration (not just circulation, but air bubbles rising to the surface) and if the water tests out good, (ammonia less than 0.25 ppm) then yes, this does look like velvet. Coppersafe or copper power at 2.25 ppm, ASAP would be the best treatment.

As a side note - you seem to have all cryptic fish in this tank, but with no cover for them to hide in. While you shouldn't used calcium based rock, you can cut up bits of PVC pipe to use as hiding places.

This was after I did a massive water change, and cleaned out the tank. I have a bunch of PVC in there for them :)

I started coppersafe last night. Seem to be doing ok, lost one fish, but the others are swimming around although still don't look happy, I am taking that as a good sign that they are mobile.