murph
Active Member
Well its been years since I have tried treating any kind of sick fish but last week I was at the local ***** and the "fish expert" was in the process of removing the few remaining specimens from there marine holding tanks and stated that none were for sale and there would be none for sale for at least a month (gee I wonder what that means
Amongst them was a poor little scopas tang (one of my favorites) in some obvious torture from parasite infestation.
To give the "fish expert" some credit it is obvious he knows what he is doing from speaking to him in the past but the powers that be would never let him do what was necessary to straighten out the mess. It appeared he had finally gotten through to them.
I have the ability to quickly set up a hospital tank so I offered him ten bucks as is, no questions asked, for the poor little scopas. I got the obligatory "I will have to ask the manager". After about ten minutes I was on my way home with a vary sick fish.
Considering the advanced stage of the infestation I decided on a in tank copper/formalin treatment. The tang has responded well regaining appetite on the third day of treatment and began acting like a tang should by about day five. Appetite than became ravenous with three feedings a day and a veggie clip almost not enough.
HT is a ten gallon with mature sponge filter from my DT sump, some PVC and a small power head to keep up the O2 levels. I change out thee gallons a day with copper/formalin dosed change water to keep med levels where the manufacture recommends and avoid any ammonia build up.
Now the problem/questions. This morning it was obvious the infestation was not over with some obvious spots on the fish and a lessening of appetite. This is day seven of treatment. The product I am treating with is a copper formalin combo called organicure but when I test copper levels of the water copper is nearly undetectable.
I am wondering if I should discontinue treatment with this product and go with a straight copper med that I can more reliably test for and keep in .20 range or considering the fish has regained strength at this point discontinue any meds and start with a hypo treatment. Any and all opinions are welcome. TIA
edit; Forgot to mention I have also dosed the tank with Aquel to head off any ammonia problems that might set in while I am not there to act. According to the amquel people this should not interfere with the meds I have chosen to treat the fish with but I am beginning to wonder.
Amongst them was a poor little scopas tang (one of my favorites) in some obvious torture from parasite infestation.To give the "fish expert" some credit it is obvious he knows what he is doing from speaking to him in the past but the powers that be would never let him do what was necessary to straighten out the mess. It appeared he had finally gotten through to them.
I have the ability to quickly set up a hospital tank so I offered him ten bucks as is, no questions asked, for the poor little scopas. I got the obligatory "I will have to ask the manager". After about ten minutes I was on my way home with a vary sick fish.
Considering the advanced stage of the infestation I decided on a in tank copper/formalin treatment. The tang has responded well regaining appetite on the third day of treatment and began acting like a tang should by about day five. Appetite than became ravenous with three feedings a day and a veggie clip almost not enough.
HT is a ten gallon with mature sponge filter from my DT sump, some PVC and a small power head to keep up the O2 levels. I change out thee gallons a day with copper/formalin dosed change water to keep med levels where the manufacture recommends and avoid any ammonia build up.
Now the problem/questions. This morning it was obvious the infestation was not over with some obvious spots on the fish and a lessening of appetite. This is day seven of treatment. The product I am treating with is a copper formalin combo called organicure but when I test copper levels of the water copper is nearly undetectable.
I am wondering if I should discontinue treatment with this product and go with a straight copper med that I can more reliably test for and keep in .20 range or considering the fish has regained strength at this point discontinue any meds and start with a hypo treatment. Any and all opinions are welcome. TIA
edit; Forgot to mention I have also dosed the tank with Aquel to head off any ammonia problems that might set in while I am not there to act. According to the amquel people this should not interfere with the meds I have chosen to treat the fish with but I am beginning to wonder.
