Help with sick damsel in qt.

[cst0215]

I have a flame angel and blue damsel that have been in a 10 gallon quarantine tank for 3 weeks. About 2 weeks ago the flame angel started showing signs of ich. I added chelated copper (Frits copper safe) at that time. Both fish have been doing great until tonight. The damsel has turned almost black and is very lethargic. It is breathing rapidly and is hanging out at the bottom of the tank, not eating, and has a couple light sores on its sides. The flame still looks great. Copper level has consistently been 2.5 ppm. I changed out 1.5 gallons of h20 yesterday, and added copper to the replacement water. Water temp is slightly over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Salinity is 1.028 so I just started slowly adding fresh rodi water to hopefully bring it down to 1.025, trying to not go too fast and add additional stress. My seachem ammonia alert badge shows no ammonia.

Not sure what to do… will this reset the clock on my 30 day in copper qt period? Any advice is appreciated as always.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I have a flame angel and blue damsel that have been in a 10 gallon quarantine tank for 3 weeks. About 2 weeks ago the flame angel started showing signs of ich. I added chelated copper (Frits copper safe) at that time. Both fish have been doing great until tonight. The damsel has turned almost black and is very lethargic. It is breathing rapidly and is hanging out at the bottom of the tank, not eating, and has a couple light sores on its sides. The flame still looks great. Copper level has consistently been 2.5 ppm. I changed out 1.5 gallons of h20 yesterday, and added copper to the replacement water. Water temp is slightly over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Salinity is 1.028 so I just started slowly adding fresh rodi water to hopefully bring it down to 1.025, trying to not go too fast and add additional stress. My seachem ammonia alert badge shows no ammonia.

Not sure what to do… will this reset the clock on my 30 day in copper qt period? Any advice is appreciated as always.

First thing - can you test the water for ammonia with another test, to try and confirm if your ammonia badge is working? Some stores can do that for you.

I prefer to use coppersafe at 2.25 ppm, unless there is active ich or velvet - especially with flame angels.

I'm not sure I understand - it doesn't sound like your copper dropped below treatment level, or if it did, it was for less than a day? If so, there is no need to extend the treatment time.

Can you post a video of the damselfish?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a flame angel and blue damsel that have been in a 10 gallon quarantine tank for 3 weeks. About 2 weeks ago the flame angel started showing signs of ich. I added chelated copper (Frits copper safe) at that time. Both fish have been doing great until tonight. The damsel has turned almost black and is very lethargic. It is breathing rapidly and is hanging out at the bottom of the tank, not eating, and has a couple light sores on its sides. The flame still looks great. Copper level has consistently been 2.5 ppm. I changed out 1.5 gallons of h20 yesterday, and added copper to the replacement water. Water temp is slightly over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Salinity is 1.028 so I just started slowly adding fresh rodi water to hopefully bring it down to 1.025, trying to not go too fast and add additional stress. My seachem ammonia alert badge shows no ammonia.

Not sure what to do… will this reset the clock on my 30 day in copper qt period? Any advice is appreciated as always.

How are you measuring copper level?
Post pics or video using bright white light intensity, no blue lighting for best assessment

 

[cst0215]

The damsel is still alive this morning. Still sitting on the tank bottom. I have been researching Uronella and now I’m really freaked out! These are not red open sores though.

All of my tests have shown a copper level above 2.25 ppm, Ive never had a time period below that concentration.

I have not seen any agression from the flame angel either

The damsel has been in the QT tank for approx 1 month with no problems until now. Not sure how long it takes for Uronella to present itself.

The damsel never showed signs of ich....just the angel

I am testing copper with a Hanna tester and will check ammonia ASAP.

When I did the 1.5 gallon water change on Sunday I also added a small amount of microbacter 7 and prime in case of an ammonia spike.

In the photos it looks like the fish has ich, but it is just specks on the glass. The fish did go from bright blue to almost black though.