Emperor with Open Mouth

[percula99]

I have had the Emperor alone in a 75 QT for nine days now. He did not eat for the first time today since I got him. His mouth is open and his breathing is slightly elevated and he is facing the rear corner. He has a white growth on the spine on his gill cover, and one more large spot on his other side. This not ich. Any ideas?

Sorry for the poor quality of the shot. I am a louse aquarium photographer.

Sp. Gr. - 1.026
Ph - 8.16
Temp 78F

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[percula99]

He has been sitting in the top back corner most of the day. I got him to go to the bottom of the QT where I shot this short video. This should help demonstrate his condition better.

There is cupramine in the tank now. I plan on doing a major water change tomorrow and then replacing the cupramine that is taken out.

Also, amonia is at 0.

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[BossHoggin]

Angelfish are one of the fish who are more sensitive to copper. Doesn't surprise me your emperor angel isn't eating during treatment. What level is the copper testing at?

 

[Mrscribbled]

I'd keep the cupramine level right at ..35. Dispite the bad photo it looks to be heavy fluke infestation. Prozi pro can be used with the copper.

Just want to make sure, you are not using prime or amquel along with cupramine correct ?

 

[percula99]

The Emperor has has eaten very well since I pu him in. He only stopped eating yesterday. Cupramine level is holding steady at 0.5. I am not not using prime or amquel. Water is RO. I was thinking of getting some PraziPro. I am off to the store this morning. Thanks.

 

[MrTuskfish]

A fish that stops eating is showing the first signs of copper sensitivity. The Cupramine bottle says to dose at .50ppm, but I think that's too high. Drop the copper to around .35ppm. SeaChem, mfg of Cupramine, says .35 ppm is very effective. I've used that dose for years. If this or the Prazi-Pro don't get him eating, you may have to remove most/all copper, get him eating, then start over.
Is this a new fish, or was he in your DT. Adult large angels can be tough to acclimate, juvis are much easier.

 

[caribfan]

If you are comfortable with it, do a FW dip. I usualy see flukes start to come off around the 2 to 5 minute mark. Be sure to match temperature and pH of the freshwater used and monitor the fish closely. It's normal for them to lay on their sides, but if the breathing becomes extremely labored, get him back into the saltwater. I would recommend leaving him in there no longer than 10 minutes, but I have dipped a moorish idol for as long as 25 with no issue.

A lot of people are scared of FW dips, but they provide immediate relief to the fish from the parasite and also confirm at least one type of parasite.

If he's breathing heavy and the water quality is not an issue, there is a really good chance it is flukes. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[caribfan]

How's the fish?

 

[percula99]

How's the fish?

I went out and bought some Prazipro yesterday and treated the tank. I noticed the Emperor came out last night and swim around for a while, which I took as a positive sign, although he did not eat. When I saw your post this morning I went to have a look. Unfortunately, I found him dead. I am quite disappointed over the loss of life of such a beautiful (and expensive) fish. Over the course of my hobby I have lost fish before, but I have never had one die of flukes before. This was a first for me. From now on I will QT fish with cupramine and Prazipro from the beginning. Thanks for the concern of everyone who posted.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Sorry you lost him. I doubt that you will ever know why this fish died. The fish just never did look "right" to me. Adult angels are tough to acclimate and most come from Indonesia. IMO & IME; because of collection practices, fish from Indonesia and the Phillipiines are a bigger risk than their counterparts from other places. You may also want to check out tank-transfer in the sticky above. I think this is a foolproof way to eliminate ich. You're right about PP. IMO, it should always be used with every fish, very safe med.

 

[caribfan]

Oh man, I'm sorry for the loss. Its always frustrating disappointing when you lose a fish.