Swallowtail Angel (spotbreast) maybe ick and popeye

[Brian Saxby]

Hello R2R. I need some help. I have a swallowtail angel in her first week of QT and it appears she has some ich popping up yesterday. Started to dose Copper power last night. My plan is to bring it up over 3-4 days. I noticed tonight she appears to have popeye starting in one eye. She’s doesn’t like the light and hides in the pvc and just picks at food, these characteristics haven’t changed since day one. Any suggestions? I’m not familiar with treating sick fish but I have read a lot here on R2R so im gonna need some help through this one ladies and gentlemen

 

[Old Fritz]

Hello R2R. I need some help. I have a swallowtail angel in her first week of QT and it appears she has some ich popping up yesterday. Started to dose Copper power last night. My plan is to bring it up over 3-4 days. I noticed tonight she appears to have popeye starting in one eye. She’s doesn’t like the light and hides in the pvc and just picks at food, these characteristics haven’t changed since day one. Any suggestions? I’m not familiar with treating sick fish but I have read a lot here on R2R so im gonna need some help through this one ladies and gentlemen

can you post water parameters? A lot of the time popeye clears up on its own with nothing more than clean water and a good diet (thats if it is caused by an injury). If it wasn't caused by an injury, and you think its a bacterial infection, I recommend treating with Erythromycin.

Its not uncommon for a stressed fish to hide and dislike the light. If you can try dimming the light to make the environment less stressful

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Can you post some photos and water parameters please?

What test kit are you using to test the copper?

 

[Brian Saxby]

I will test the water, take some pictures, and then post results.

 

[fabutahoun]

Swallowtails usually comes from deeper water, so they don't like intense light. A good idea is to dim the lights and start increase light intensity slowly for a week or 2.

Continue the copper treatment to get rid of the ich , as said in previous comment pop eye in most cases will heal with good care, clean water and good diet. if the eye is not clear or is not getting better it may have an bacterial infection and you will need to treat with antibiotics like Erythromycin.

Remember its better not to treat with two medication at the same time.

If the eye is getting worse stop the copper, make a water change and then treat with Erythromycin.

 

[Brian Saxby]

In my research of the angel I did read that they come from deeper water and I didn’t even think of light acclimation. Very good point.

 

[Brian Saxby]

I couldn’t get a full body shot in the light. I will have to try again later when I do some water tests. The left eye (your right looking at the photo) seems to be popping out more than I’ve noticed before. 2 days ago I noticed what appeared to be very small white spots on the pectoral and anal fin. She is in QT (today is day 12) with a copperband that still appears to be clean and eating very well. To be honest, I thought my challenge would be the copperband and the angel would be a piece of cake but so far that assumption is very wrong.

 

[fabutahoun]

I wouldn't concern much about the eye. Just observe it, There is a possibility that this a birth defect. as long as the eye is clear and there is no bubble inside its ok.

 

[Brian Saxby]

Ok great! Thank you that’s what I’ll do

 

[Brian Saxby]

Photos from 5 mins ago. She is breathing very heavy. Has stopped eating and her eye has continued to get worse. Should I stop the copper power treatment?

 

[Old Fritz]

Photos from 5 mins ago. She is breathing very heavy. Has stopped eating and her eye has continued to get worse. Should I stop the copper power treatment?

Are you running an airstone while treating with copper? If not I recommend one strongly as you need more dissolved air when treating. You could also try bringing the concentration of copper down and see if there is any improvement

 

[Brian Saxby]

I am not but I do have a power head and an ac110 running. There is a lot of service movement with that aquaclear 110 on a 25 gallon. I will try lowering the copper with a water change and report back.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

I’d add the extra power head pointed at the water surface and use kanaplex for the eye.

 

[fabutahoun]

Yes stop the copper , make a water change . also keep an eye on ammonia levels

 

[Brian Saxby]

Will kanaplex work just dosing to the water? I can try it with focus and food but if she isn’t eating....

 

[fabutahoun]

Will kanaplex work just dosing to the water? I can try it with focus and food but if she isn’t eating....

Just dose it to the water

 

[LAReefer4Life]

How is the angel doing?

 

[Brian Saxby]

How is the angel doing?

@pathot984 Respiration is better and she is now eating very little. She really is a picky eater sense she got here. Pickier than the copperband. I ordered kanaplex and had it overnighted so I should get it today and start medicating. She is still showing signs of ich. Copperband is still clean and hungry.

She is my first angel. What is everyone feeding theirs? I feed frozen PE mysis and rods in selcon. She doesn’t seem to be a fan. She picks at it. Doesn’t really go to town on it like my other fish do? Are angels usually not aggressive eaters?

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Fresh clams or oysters from the seafood market usually get them eating. To confirm you are now at therapeutic copper levels correct?

 

[Waterislife]

My female spot breast eats everything they hits the water coincidentally she lost her eye right after coming to me and has lived with one eye for five years so it isn't the end of the world but I understand your need to fix the problem, also increase oxygen level while treating any medication, AirStone