Damage or parasite? (pics)

[artful13dodger]

Greetings, I've had my display fallow for 7 weeks now (2 to go), and treating my three fish that survived the outbreak (ich or velvet, wasn't 100% sure which) in a separate HT.

They just hit the four-week mark of treating copper at 0.5. I'm adding carbon to remove today. But, I noticed the other night that the clown has white spots on him. I'm surprised because he's now through full treatment. When treatment started I noticed he would rub against the PVC fittings in the HT, so it's possible the marks are just damage. I want to be sure before introducing into a clean display obviously.

Is this still a parasite that survived 0.5 copper for 4 weeks, or is it common to have these marks after disease and treatment?

The third pic is just a marked up version of the second, indicating the marks.

Thank you.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I'm not great with pics, but the fins seemed a bit frayed and the spots are oddly shaped and the same color as that part of the fish--not an indication of a parasite. (IMO & IME). Could be scaring from parasites (especially if this was velvet) or a combination of scarring and reaction to the Cu. I'd watch closely for at least 2 weeks before returning to the DT.
Also, I'd move this to the fish disease section.

 

[artful13dodger]

I'm not great with pics, but the fins seemed a bit frayed and the spots are oddly shaped and the same color as that part of the fish--not an indication of a parasite. (IMO & IME). Could be scaring from parasites (especially if this was velvet) or a combination of scarring and reaction to the Cu. I'd watch closely for at least 2 weeks before returning to the DT.
Also, I'd move this to the fish disease section.

Got it. They are irregular, but up close they look more white than anything else (as opposed to background of that part of the fish). I didn't consider copper reaction. Will see what happens now that I've started removing copper... would they just go away? Or, if they stay constant, does that lend stronger credence to being scars (and won't go away) versus parasite (which would)?

Thanks again.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I'm just not good with pics and can't tell exactly whats going on with the fish. If spots disappear and new ones show up, you still have a parasite problem. Are the fish scratching, have breathing problems, eating well? If Cu was consistently at .5ppm; it would be very unusual to still see parasites; or signs of them.

 

[jhentr]

I've used Cupramine three times before and after four weeks, things looks good. No scratching, no spots.

So my concern is that if it's scratching, usually that's not a good sign - as there is still parasite/something present. Not sure if you checked for flukes, but I usually dose Cupramine w/ Prazipro to knock out flukes too (if present).

HTH

 

[MrTuskfish]

I've used Cupramine three times before and after four weeks, things looks good. No scratching, no spots.

So my concern is that if it's scratching, usually that's not a good sign - as there is still parasite/something present. Not sure if you checked for flukes, but I usually dose Cupramine w/ Prazipro to knock out flukes too (if present).

HTH

I agree; but prefer to dose the PP after the Cu. The mfg says PP loses some effectiveness when used with other meds, especially copper.

To the OP: I think all fish should be treated with Prazi-Pro and it is about the only med that can be used in a DT.

 

[artful13dodger]

Thanks guys for the help.

For the spots, they are definitely raised and with dimension, and way larger than specks, so very possible it's flukes. Will try prazipro... but wouldn't cupramine have killed flukes as well?

 

[MrTuskfish]

Thanks guys for the help.

For the spots, they are definitely raised and with dimension, and way larger than specks, so very possible it's flukes. Will try prazipro... but wouldn't cupramine have killed flukes as well?

It can, but I don't think its 100%. There are countless fluke species, each with its own life cycle. I've never read much about the copper/fluke connection; but I've personally notice flukes after copper on a few occasions.

 

[artful13dodger]

Ok, now I'm starting to think it may be bacterial (or fungal). The clown now hangs in the bottom of the tank inside a PVC fitting (still comes out for food). His eyes look a little puffed out, but so little I couldn't really tell if they were or not.

What is the best medication if you can't tell what type of bacteria you're dealing with (gram negative or positive), or even if it might be fungal? Also, to that medication, any pointers that won't appear on the instructions of the bottle? Carbon has removed almost all cupramine now.

Thanks for the continued assistance.

 

[phillyfishguy]

I use Marycyn 1 & 11.. Just follow directions on box. I know one of them knock out your good bacteria so be careful.