Help with fish disease - 3 dead fish

[larrysaltisfun]

Unlikely to have been from them.

Reefcleaners say they don’t keep any fish in their systems. I buy my CUC from them and have never had an issue.

Now, they do buy animals from importers. It is possible that some freshly purchased animals they just got in were carrying some disease, but that is more a theoretical chance…..

Well, looks like one of the clown fish is covered with a fine, white powder. It's hiding behind the rocks and not coming out. it's hard to see because the fish is mostly white, but i can see very clearly on the fins. So velvet it is....

I'm heading out now to buy and setup a QT. I will be following the full protocol for the remaining 4 fish. Since I can see the fish is covered, should I do anything different from the protocol or just start with copper?

Not a fish medic, but I read everything they post and I would imagine they would tell you to go ahead and ramp up copper to 2.25 immediately have a good ammonia and copper checker preferably Hanna

 

[larrysaltisfun]

Unlikely to have been from them.

Reefcleaners say they don’t keep any fish in their systems. I buy my CUC from them and have never had an issue.

Now, they do buy animals from importers. It is possible that some freshly purchased animals they just got in were carrying some disease, but that is more a theoretical chance…..

Well, looks like one of the clown fish is covered with a fine, white powder. It's hiding behind the rocks and not coming out. it's hard to see because the fish is mostly white, but i can see very clearly on the fins. So velvet it is....

I'm heading out now to buy and setup a QT. I will be following the full protocol for the remaining 4 fish. Since I can see the fish is covered, should I do anything different from the protocol or just start with copper?

I’m certainly not a fish medic but I read iabout everything that they post. I would imagine they will tell you to go to 2.25 immediately with copper power or copper safe get a good ammonia checker and copper checker.

 

[larrysaltisfun]

Sorry for the double post

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Well, looks like one of the clown fish is covered with a fine, white powder. It's hiding behind the rocks and not coming out. it's hard to see because the fish is mostly white, but i can see very clearly on the fins. So velvet it is....

I'm heading out now to buy and setup a QT. I will be following the full protocol for the remaining 4 fish. Since I can see the fish is covered, should I do anything different from the protocol or just start with copper?

It may not be velvet - the primary symptom for that is rapid breathing and not eating.

Either way, I’d start with 2.25 ppm coppersafe or copper power.

 

[grillinwithdad]

It may not be velvet - the primary symptom for that is rapid breathing and not eating.

Either way, I’d start with 2.25 ppm coppersafe or copper power.

got it. Thank you again! Setting it up now.

 

[grillinwithdad]

Ok, the clowns are in the new QT. And now they seem to look ok on the outside. But it seems like they are breathing much faster than normal. I honestly don't know at this point...

 

[W31Olds]

If you just transferred them, they are going to breathing fast until they settle down. I don't see any signs of disease, but I would still consider treating with CopperPower.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Ok, the clowns are in the new QT. And now they seem to look ok on the outside. But it seems like they are breathing much faster than normal. I honestly don't know at this point...

How do they look this morning?

 

[grillinwithdad]

How do they look this morning?

They are looking really good. Breathing has slowed down a bit but i'm not seeing anything on the outside of the fish. No slime/film and no spots/powder.

My plan is to still do the full quarantine with all 4 fish and leave the DT fishless for 76 days. Just to be safe and sure. What do you think?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

They are looking really good. Breathing has slowed down a bit but i'm not seeing anything on the outside of the fish. No slime/film and no spots/powder.

My plan is to still do the full quarantine with all 4 fish and leave the DT fishless for 76 days. Just to be safe and sure. What do you think?

That should be fine as long as you can control the ammonia level in the QT. Also, the fishless time does not need to be 76 days. 60 days is more than sufficient, and even 45 days will work if the water temperature is held above 81 F., but some corals do not handle that well.

 

[grillinwithdad]

That should be fine as long as you can control the ammonia level in the QT. Also, the fishless time does not need to be 76 days. 60 days is more than sufficient, and even 45 days will work if the water temperature is held above 81 F., but some corals do not handle that well.

Ah, ok, even better.

QT is setup, all 4 fish are in and looking good, copper is at 2.25 and we have the first dose of Metro. Here's my plan:

- Continue copper treatment for 30 days
- Continue metro dosing every other day for 30 days (2 scoops of MetroPlax)
- After 30 days, start water changes to remove copper and start the observation period until DT is ready for fish. About 60 days from today.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Ah, ok, even better.

QT is setup, all 4 fish are in and looking good, copper is at 2.25 and we have the first dose of Metro. Here's my plan:

- Continue copper treatment for 30 days
- Continue metro dosing every other day for 30 days (2 scoops of MetroPlax)
- After 30 days, start water changes to remove copper and start the observation period until DT is ready for fish. About 60 days from today.

The tank looks really clean/bare. Have you added any biological source for bacteria to control the ammonia? If you are thinking of relying on just water changes or ammonia removers to control that, that process often fails.

 

[grillinwithdad]

The tank looks really clean/bare. Have you added any biological source for bacteria to control the ammonia? If you are thinking of relying on just water changes or ammonia removers to control that, that process often fails.

yeah, i added Fritz TurboStart to the HOB filter yesterday. It's 4 fish in a small tank so i'll check ammonia daily to make sure nothing gets out of control.

 

[helmsreef]

yeah, i added Fritz TurboStart to the HOB filter yesterday. It's 4 fish in a small tank so i'll check ammonia daily to make sure nothing gets out of control.

I would look into getting some Seachem Matrix or something of that sort. Works well and is inert so copper absorption is not an issue. It will help with biological filtration for the next 60 days and save you some headaches

 

[grillinwithdad]

yeah, i added Fritz TurboStart to the HOB filter yesterday. It's 4 fish in a small tank so i'll check ammonia daily to make sure nothing gets out of control.

I would look into getting some Seachem Matrix or something of that sort. Works well and is inert so copper absorption is not an issue. It will help with biological filtration for the next 60 days and save you some headaches

Amazing! Thanks for the tip. Will get some asap.

 

[grillinwithdad]

Quick update on the DT and QT. Fish are still in quarantine and doing well.

I did the DNA test for my DT from dxaquaria and here are the results:

"A low level of Cryptocaryon DNA (marine ich) was detected in your sample. The noted level often correlates with presence alongside no symptoms OR very early symptoms of marine ich. Reducing livestock stress, feeding often, and/or a properly sized UV can help keep the pathogen at bay."

The level of ich was very low, 10 copies DNA/mL of sample. Everything else is at 0. (velvet, uronema, LCDV)

Now that we know, should i stay the course with my QT and keeping the DT fishless for 60 days?

 

[helmsreef]

Yes, I would stay the course. It doesn't matter what level of ich concentration you have. Just let it ride and you'll be good at the end.