I think cupramine is killing my fish.

[stantheman]

I currently have 5 fish in a 30 gallon qt running cupramine at about .4. Is that a good level? I have brought the copper up over the course of a week and now my fish slowly seem to be wasting away. They hardly had any inch I noticed it really early as I always watch each fish everyday to check health and water parameters etc daily. I don't want to be a failure ha. Anyway I have 2 clowns and a yellow tang coral beauty and a royal gramma and they don't seem to be doing great. Clowns are almost lethargic not eating etc. Temp is 78 no ammonia using ammonia badge etc don't know what I'm doing wrong. Everyone says cupramine is great however I am not impressed but maybe it's my fault? Any advice or help would be awesome!

 

[HumbleFish]

How long has it been since the clowns stopped eating? Are they the only ones?

Sometimes fish will act lethargic while being treated with copper, but if they stop eating for more than a few days than IMO it's time to start doing WCs to lower the concentration.

 

[lagatbezan]

what test kit are you using to measure the cupramine? Cupramine can and is usually harsh on the fish. If they are not doing well, I would definitely drop the level and see if there is an improvement.

 

[cur10u5g30rg3]

Don't use any ammonia reducer with the cupramine in the tank, it cause a reaction the creates a toxic form copper.

 

[MrTuskfish]

In addition to the questions above, here's another: what are you using to control and measure ammonia?

I always reduce Cu for a few days if fish stop eating, then gradually increase when they're eating again. Good carbon, cuprisorb, WCs, all will help lower Cu level. Sometimes, you may have to do this a few times, depends on the fish. This assumes you'r treating ich, velvet doesn't give you the luxury of time. FWIW; royal grammas are very difficult to cure when infected with parasites, don't be surprised if you lose him.