How long can you leave a fish in hypo?

[LobsterOfJustice]

I've had a declivis butterfly in hypo for 2.5 months. He has been doing well the entire time, but I recently swapped him to a larger tank (37 from a 20). He seems to have some spots coming up on him despite being at 1.010 for 2.5 months. I am starting to get worried if I leave him in hypo for much longer he is going to start having issues, but to be honest he's done better the past 2.5 months in hypo than in the 6 months I had him prior in full strength seawater.

 

[Big E]

What do the spots look like? If they are a bit larger than what you normally see from ich, it's from the hypo. If they are kept in hypo too long fish can develop skin spots, scale issues & swim bladder problems & other internal problems that can lead to eventual death.

You're getting close to where I've seen these kind of things develop. Usually around that 90 day period is when these things show if they are going to be an issue.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Yes, they are slightly larger than ich (and on the main body as opposed to fins/tail), but it doesn't look like lymphocystis or fungus. Sounds like it could be what you are describing. I will bring him out of hypo.

Thanks.

 

[Pickupman66]

1. tey can have kidney and other issues if kept in hypo for an extended period of time beyond 6 weeks.
2. proper hypo is 1.009 to get rid of Crypt.

 

[Big E]

Yep, that's it Lobster........the white spot should clear up in a few days to a week.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I have been bringing him out of hypo, he is at about 1.021 now. He still has a few small spots and seems to have a few lesions or "rough spots" or skin irregularities on his body that are not getting better. He is still eating and acting fine. Is there anything else I can do other than keep increasing the salinity and wait? Should I treat with antibiotics to prevent infection?

 

[flameangel88]

I normally do 8 weeks of hypo (1.009) and most of the Goldflake, Flame angels and the semilarvatus shows the white spots. I take about 10 days to bring the sg back to normal. The spots should go away in about 2 weeks but takes much longer for the FAs to recover though.

 

[Big E]

The skin leisions will take longer than the spots & theres a good chance you will see leison scars the rest of it's life.

If you're still not up to normal salinity by now you took way too long to do it. It can be dangerous, but in cases where the fish have been damaged by hypo I've done it qucikly............24 hours or less when there are lesions that are red or swimming issues.

I've always been done with raising it in 4-5 days at most. In your case I would have done it in this time frame. I wouldn't treat with anything right now.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I raised quickly at first but slowed recently. Just due to the way I'm raising the salinity - I'm doing water changes with 1.030 water, so obviously as I approach normal salinity the amount of change in salinity per water change lowers. But I figure we're in good range now at least (over 1.020).

Thanks for all the help and wish me luck with him!

 

[Yurivd]

my friend that has a lfs do it in 3 hours from 1.009 to 1.025

Have a look for the bucket method it take ich away in 7 days

 

[snorvich]

Did the fish have ich?

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Yes, he had ich.

 

[snorvich]

Yes, he had ich.

Do you think it is clean now? I ask because hypo is normally 1.009.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

It was 1.009-1.010ish. I dont know about most refractometers but on mine theres really no telling those two apart, the lines are so close.

 

[snorvich]

Well, if it were me, I would bring him up to SG 1.024-26 and observe. You also need a better refractometer. I would NOT add him to your display tank.

 

[travis32]

When I do hypo, I do drop from 1.023 to 1.009 within 48 hours or less. with usually 4 - 5 water changes.

I try to error on the side of lower than higher in case of refrac being slightly off, so I'll aim for between 1.007 and 1.009. Every fish I've hypoed has lived to tell about it.

I hypo then for around 4 -5 weeks. Then spend 2 weeks bringing the fish from 1.009 to 1.026.

If still o.k. I add to DT. So far, no signs of ich or parasites nor any visible damage to the fish.

 

[geaux xman]

i have a 3" bluejaw trigger and two 1" green chromis in hypo right now. i'm at 1.009, but i can easily see due to accuracy margin, it could be 1.008 or 1.010.

i think i will try to lean closer to 1.008 now.

 

[kinlayan]

1.007-1.008 would be harmful to certain species as many have an internal salinity of 1.008

 

[Big E]

It's a good idea to have two measuring devices to make sure you are at the required 1.009. I use a refractometer & pinpoint salnity probe. This takes all the guesswork out.

Glass hydrometers are very accurate & cheap if you need a less expensive alternative to match with a refractometer.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

So, this guy is not looking better. I am starting to get the feeling that this will not working itself out and it's time to take action or he may die.

He is still eating and acting normal, but on one side has two open wounds, one looks like a dent or chunk out of him, and the other looks like it has a clear slime/bubble over it. On the other side, he has some fuzz/growth where the pectoral fin meets the body. And he still has those white pimple spots too.

He is at full strength 1.025 now. What else can I do for him?