Copper Question

[ag09g]

I currently have a kole tang and atlantic long nosed butterfly in quarantine. On Monday I noticed the kole scratching and subsequently saw spots on the butterfly. I immediately added coppersafe and brought the level up to 2ppm. I have not seen the tang scratch since, and see no spots on her. The butterfly, however, still has spots. They are both eating and acting well, but Im not sure if what Im seeing are just scars on the butterfly that have yet to heal and fade away, or if my copper level is off and theyre still being reinfected.

I plan to observe and see if the spots fade over time, but Im just curious how long it usually takes for the spots to disappear.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Are you testing the copper with a comparable test kit? The number of spots, or the spots coming & going, is not a valid indicator of ich presence or even the progress of eliminating it.You don't judge treatment by the spots, but by the time the parasite has been exposed (non-stop) to the copper. I'd read the ich stickies at the top of the disease forum, start with this one. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1992196 Knowledge of the ich life cycle is vital stuff.

 

[ag09g]

Thanks mrtuskfish!

Im using an API test kit with measurements from 0-4ppm, and the coppersafe is chelated copper so yes, I believe it is the correct type of test to be using. I have read every sticky on here about ich and then some. I understand the life cycle. I also understand that the parasite needs to be continuously exposed to a lethal dose of copper in order to be effective.

Are you saying that I shouldnt worry about the spots?
Im mostly just concerned that I may be interpreting the test wrong and potentially have too little copper in there to fully kill everything. If theres too little copper to be lethal it doesnt matter how long the fish have been exposed. Seeing as the spots are my only visible evidence of parasites, thats why I was asking if I should be concerned you know?

 

[Mrscribbled]

Are they spots or specks?


Posted from ReefCentral.com App for Android

 

[ag09g]

I would describe them as looking like tiny grains of sand.

 

[HumbleFish]

I would describe them as looking like tiny grains of sand.

That is what Ich/Velvet looks like. I would leave them in copper for one full month.