Cupramine use with Caution

[jnc914]

I have used Cupramine with several of my fish in the past that have included tangs, angels, clowns, etc. I tested often and did not see any drawbacks or threats to the health of the fish. However, my view on Cupramine has changed a bit with my recent usage with an Achille's and a pair of Golden Butterflies that are in my QT. I added the initial dosasge to a 40 gallon and 20 gallon QT. I noticed immediately that the three fish started breathing heavy and darting around their tanks. They also refuse to eat. So I observed for several hours, turned up the flow and oxygen and went to bed. When I got up the following morning the fish were very lethargic and still appeared to have labored breathing and pale coloration. I immediatly did water changes and within minutes of putting new water in the tanks, they were lively again and had their color back. I think that if I had not changed the water, and if I would have added the second dose the fish would likely be dead. This was a scary situation. The moral of the story is Cupramine may not be as safe to use with the more "delicate" fish. (All three fish were from Diver's Den).

 

[LargeAngels]

I've used Cupramine on many tangs and butterflies, including Golden's without a single bad reaction. In fact I've never had a bad reaction on any fish. Cupramine can interact with water conditioners, some meds and UV sterilizers. Any chance of that? How do you make the new water? Was any of the water in the bags transferred into the tank? Could that have had some type of conditioner?

 

[kevin2000]

My 02

All coppers are harsh .. cupramine is probably the least harsh of this type of med.

Did you use a copper test kit when you used this product .. been a while but as I recall there were only a couple of test kits that could accurately measure Cupramine.

 

[jnc914]

The water in the QT has been there for at least two weeks with no conditioners in it. I put in only the initial dosage and the copper measured around .2mg/l. I noticed almost an immediate labored breathing and loss of color. The tang handled it better but refused to eat and hid in its cave. The butterflies darted around and were at the surface swimming for a little while. The Goldens are around 2.5 inches and the Achilles is around 3". It is still a mystery as to why the fish reacted that way, but needless to say I am spooked.

 

[kevin2000]

What test kit were you using?

 

[jnc914]

Seachem and Salifert

 

[kevin2000]

Seachems should work but there was a period of time when even they did not work with Cupramine. The older Salifert test kits never worked with Curpramine but I understand the newer ones do.

I have read some threads where people who have had sensitive fish have used Curpramine at less than recommended dose with success.

If your dealing with ich then hypo may be a reasonable alternative..

 

[dones20]

Copper safe by mardel is the best imo never had a problem even when overdosed and never checked copper level have used this on all fish even a nurse shark with great results

 

[limitdown]

I second LargeAngel's comment.

I've never had problems with Cupramine, even with dwarf angels. And also when I accidentally overdosed to 0.8mg/liter for 2-days with a blueface angel. Problem w/ an API test kit.

My experience with CopperSafe is mixed. I had 2 losses, both tangs. I can't say for certain that the CopperSafe is to blame. So I'll just say that there was correlation, but not necessarily causation.

 

[LargeAngels]

Do you use a dechlorinator? "if you overdose with a dechlorinator, such as Primeâ"žÂ¢ then the Cu+2 will be reduced to Cu+. Cu+ is 10 times more toxic than Cu+2" Per Seachem's website.

 

[cthetoy]

Ive used Cupramine with no problems except when I accidently left the UV on. All the fish were breathing heavily and lethargic. I did a 75% water change and turned off the UV and everything was fine.

You are not treating fish hyposalinity as well are you?

 

[jnc914]

Just using the cupramine. I already used Hypo with the Achilles, which I have no doubt that it eradicated the ich that the fish had 4 days after adding it to the QT. The Butterflies I got last week and I figured I would skip hypo and just use the Cupramine and Prazi, and at the same time I wanted to treat the tang to ensure it was not carrying fluke or velvet. I have never used water conditioners and don't have a UV on the QT. I have a mated pair of Tinkers coming direct from Hawaii and I definitely want to treat for parasites once they are settled. I am very nervous to use the Cupramine now. I am opting to do the Prazi and hypo for six weeks, although i know this has zero effect on marine velvet.....

 

[cthetoy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13298707#post13298707 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnc914
I have a mated pair of Tinkers coming direct from Hawaii and I definitely want to treat for parasites once they are settled. I am very nervous to use the Cupramine now. I am opting to do the Prazi and hypo for six weeks, although i know this has zero effect on marine velvet.....

Those are nice fish. Im sure they costs $$$. If you are worried then don't treat your Tinkers with anything in the quarantine tank. Thats what quarantine tanks are for. Let the new fish settle for a few days. If you see spots then you know you have ich and then treat it accordingly. If you go 6 weeks with no spots then your fish should be ich free. Flukes is what you have to treat but flukes doesn't kill your fish right away. Treat for flukes after a week or two when your fish are eating well. Then dose Prazipro (half stregnth the first day and the other half then 2nd day) If you see any heavy breathing or stress then do a large water change.