Regal Angel Active Ick in QT help

FrankenTank · Apr 18, 2026

Looking for some advice. I got this Regal Angel in QT right now. I received him on Tuesday, did a 45 minute dip in NFG then into the unmedicated QT with lights out and began attempts to get him to eat since they notoriously difficult to get eating and didn’t want treatment to further inhibit this. I didn’t notice any spot but I did see a little bit of redness under the gills. Wednesday evening I noticed two white spots on his tail, was unsure if this was Lymphomasis or Ick, but dosed to 40mg/gal chloroquine phosphate, the minimum therapeutic dose. Thursday I noticed more white spots so I increased to 60mg/gal. Friday there is more spots but he is swimming fine and look more active. I know that Chloroquine Phosphate can be dosed up to 90mg/gal for an active outbreak but have had adverse effects (significant appetite suppression and death) at those higher doses. I’m wondering how long should I expect to wait before seeing the Chloroquine working? Or should I ditch the Chloroquine route and go to Copper Power at 2.5ppm. Is there something I should be doing to try and save this guy? I’m no expert, not sure I’m even I’d be considered a novice, so I’m really open to any any all advice. I do not have formalin on hand and have never used it, trying not to but can order it if that is what will work best. I don’t have the ability to do the TTM.

Jay Hemdal · Apr 18, 2026

FrankenTank said:
Looking for some advice. I got this Regal Angel in QT right now. I received him on Tuesday, did a 45 minute dip in NFG then into the unmedicated QT with lights out and began attempts to get him to eat since they notoriously difficult to get eating and didn’t want treatment to further inhibit this. I didn’t notice any spot but I did see a little bit of redness under the gills. Wednesday evening I noticed two white spots on his tail, was unsure if this was Lymphomasis or Ick, but dosed to 40mg/gal chloroquine phosphate, the minimum therapeutic dose. Thursday I noticed more white spots so I increased to 60mg/gal. Friday there is more spots but he is swimming fine and look more active. I know that Chloroquine Phosphate can be dosed up to 90mg/gal for an active outbreak but have had adverse effects (significant appetite suppression and death) at those higher doses. I’m wondering how long should I expect to wait before seeing the Chloroquine working? Or should I ditch the Chloroquine route and go to Copper Power at 2.5ppm. Is there something I should be doing to try and save this guy? I’m no expert, not sure I’m even I’d be considered a novice, so I’m really open to any any all advice. I do not have formalin on hand and have never used it, trying not to but can order it if that is what will work best. I don’t have the ability to do the TTM.

Some of those spots look too large to be ich, but may be mucus plugs as a result of irritation from ich.

I’ve stopped using chloroquine, despite being one of the early adopters decades ago. I found that active infections aren’t controlled until a full dose is reached, and then, toxicity issues start to crop up in some species. Here is an article I wrote many years ago:
https://reefs.com/magazine/aquarium-fish-chloroquine-a-new-drug-for-treating-fish-diseases/
Personally, I avoid this species unless collected from Australia or East Africa. If your fish is feeding well, then I would go with copper, after a water change to remove the chloroquine.

FrankenTank · Apr 18, 2026

Jay Hemdal said:
Some of those spots look too large to be ich, but may be mucus plugs as a result of irritation from ich.

I’ve stopped using chloroquine, despite being one of the early adopters decades ago. I found that active infections aren’t controlled until a full dose is reached, and then, toxicity issues start to crop up in some species. Here is an article I wrote many years ago:
https://reefs.com/magazine/aquarium-fish-chloroquine-a-new-drug-for-treating-fish-diseases/
Personally, I avoid this species unless collected from Australia or East Africa. If your fish is feeding well, then I would go with copper, after a water change to remove the chloroquine.

Thank you so much for your response. I have been reading your work, which in part is why I was thinking of abandoning Chloroquine Phosphate and going back to Cooper power, for this case and in general. I’ll just say I was expecting a yellow belly and had a feeling that this fish would come in with extra challenges. Can I go straight to 2.5ppm Copper Power or should I start at low therapeutic 2ppm and raise it up over a few days? I know most Angels generally tolerate copper well but everything with Regal seems to be a bit different.

W31Olds · Apr 18, 2026

Regal Angels can be difficult to get feeding. Fresh Clam is the best as they can start picking at it. We need more info about the behavior of your fish. Rapid breathing, scratching, flashing, swimming in flow, things like that.
I would be concerned having 2 medications in the Tank at once and any interaction. That's a question for Jay.

FrankenTank · Apr 18, 2026

W31Olds said:
Regal Angels can be difficult to get feeding. Fresh Clam is the best as they can start picking at it. We need more info about the behavior of your fish. Rapid breathing, scratching, flashing, swimming in flow, things like that.
I would be concerned having 2 medications in the Tank at once and any interaction. That's a question for Jay.

He is swimming good, no flashing or scratching. Doesn’t seem sensitive to the light. If he is not swimming in/out and around the PVC hide he like to swim up and down in the back corner. Initially his body positioning seemed a bit slanted but that no longer seems to be an issue. Eating is still a challenge.

As far as running to medications, that would not be the plan. If it is recommended to go to Copper Power I would take him out and do a 100% water change then dose copper. I would not want to mix Chloroquine Phosphate and Copper. I have ran nitrofurazone with copper though. But like I said I would drain the tank remove him and the refill and dose the copper. Test and put him back in. Which would be stressful so I only want to go that route if it seems Chloroquine is not being effective. I’ll try to post some videos of him swimming.

FrankenTank · Apr 18, 2026

W31Olds · Apr 18, 2026

He's probably not interested in feeding because he's sick, however he doesn't look thin, so you have some time. Problem with Regals is some just never eat. I had a Yellow Belly for about 6 months and he was a very picky difficult feeder who would only eat clam before suddenly dying for no reason. He was in top condition when I got him, and the vendor fed him right in front of me. Having a sick one is going to be a challenge.

Jay Hemdal · Apr 18, 2026

FrankenTank said:
Thank you so much for your response. I have been reading your work, which in part is why I was thinking of abandoning Chloroquine Phosphate and going back to Cooper power, for this case and in general. I’ll just say I was expecting a yellow belly and had a feeling that this fish would come in with extra challenges. Can I go straight to 2.5ppm Copper Power or should I start at low therapeutic 2ppm and raise it up over a few days? I know most Angels generally tolerate copper well but everything with Regal seems to be a bit different.

I'd aim for a copper level of 2.25 ppm. Are you using the Hanna HR meter?

FrankenTank · Apr 18, 2026

Jay Hemdal said:
FrankenTank said:

Thank you so much for your response. I have been reading your work, which in part is why I was thinking of abandoning Chloroquine Phosphate and going back to Cooper power, for this case and in general. I’ll just say I was expecting a yellow belly and had a feeling that this fish would come in with extra challenges. Can I go straight to 2.5ppm Copper Power or should I start at low therapeutic 2ppm and raise it up over a few days? I know most Angels generally tolerate copper well but everything with Regal seems to be a bit different.

Click to expand...

I'd aim for a copper level of 2.25 ppm. Are you using the Hanna HR meter?