Protect My Blue Hippo???

[xpetex]

hi i just got a small blue hippo tang(2 1/2 inches). he comes out every now and then but usually sits behind his live rock. how do i get him to come out and how do i prevent him from gettin ich or whitespots?(i treated the tank for parasites previously with an intense copper dose)
thanks!!!!!!!
:notsure:

 

[krowleey]

QT tank to prevent ich, and in time he will come out. i am also a believer in a UV to help prevent parasite outbreaks

 

[xpetex]

we treated the tank for parasites about 2 1/2 weeks ago, used copper based meds, got rid of the parasite, and the copper is almost gone using carbon filters. thanks though, do u know any other ways to get him to come out and how to keep him healthy??? i need help im really worried that the parasite will relapse in the tank!

 

[rbmount]

Did you say you treated your display tank with copper meds???

 

[xpetex]

yea my friend ray at our lfs said to treat the whole tank cuz the parasite was in the water. the copper is out now. unfortunatly it looks like my blue tang is rubbing against the rocks every now and then, but hes comming out more. is there anything i can do to stop the rubbing?

 

[krowleey]

https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/f/

 

[toni]

I've heard using garlic or Garlic Extreme by Kent can help reduce a fishes successabilty to parasitic diseases. We use it with our blue hippo and he loves food dipped in it. We actually use it with all of our fish, they go nuts over it.

 

[xpetex]

i wasent planning on adding ANY inverts...thanks anyway...ahh yes i forgot could i put in live rock? i have a carbon pad in my filter and a carbon bag?(dunno what it is but it works) and all the copper is out of the water. can i still add live rock?
p.s...thanks for the garlic tip my friend at my lfs gave me the same rec.!
by the way i gave my hippo tang a fresh water bath, he stopped scratching and is swimming around the tank more and more! thanks guys keep any tips commin i need it with this fish!!!!

 

[barry cuda]

The problem with copper is that not only does it enter the water, but it adsorbs onto the inside of the tank itself, and you can never really get it out...it will continually leach into the tank over time.
AFAIK you should still be able to use live rock. The main benefit to LR is the surface area for bacterial colonies, which I don't believe will be adversely affected by the copper. Just be ready for any hitchhikers to croak, unfortunately.