Kole Tang Skittish in QT after adding Cupramine

[Deinonych]

Subject pretty much says it all. I've had a 3" Kole Tang (purchased from Live Aquaria) in QT for about 10 days now. He started eating the same day I got him, and was devouring everything I put in the tank with gusto. He went through an initial round of PraziPro with no change in behavior or eating habits. Over the past 4 days, I've been gradually dosing with Cupramine. I noticed almost immediately that he became more skittish and would hide when I approached the tank. He also won't eat when I'm in front of the tank. Before, he didn't seem to pay me any mind. Has anyone else noticed a behavior change with fish when medicating with Cupramine?

I've also noticed that he isn't interested in nori at all since starting Cupramine treatment. I assume the copper must alter the taste. Would soaking the nori in garlic and/or Selcon entice him to eat it? Just want to make sure he's getting enough nutrition. None of my other fish had any reaction to Cupramine when they were in QT.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Assuming this is prophylactic treatment for a new fish, I'd remove most of the copper (carbon, Cuprisorb, or PolyFiler) and get him eating normally again. Then, slowly re-dose the copper. Most tangs handle Cu very well; but changing in eating habits is the first sign of copper sensitivity. Garlic and Selcon are not magical, he'll eat when he's ready. Its no big deal if a tang just eats eats mysis, and similar meaty foods, for a while. Are you testing Cu with a compatible copper test kit?

 

[Deinonych]

Thanks. Yes, this is a prophylactic treatment and I am using Salifert to test Cu. The concentration is at 0.5 as of today, and he appears to be completely ignoring all food now. He is otherwise acting normally (aside from being skittish). Is it worth a try to give him a couple days at the current concentration to see if he acclimates to it and starts eating again, or should I take drastic action? I have Cuprisorb at the ready if need be.

 

[Deinonych]

OK, I thought about it over dinner and decided to use Cuprisorb right away. I don't want to risk losing the fish to copper poisoning.

So, once I get him eating again, what would be your recommendation for gradually increasing the dosage? Would 0.05 mg/l per day be gradual enough? I know the exact water volume in the tank (I have a measurement line on the side of the tank indicating exactly 18G), and I use a measured syringe to apply the medication, so getting precise is not a challenge.

 

[MrTuskfish]

If you have a ready supply of made-up SW, I'd slowly remove water and add a little new water, and test. I'd stay a bit above .30ppm and give him a couple of days and see if he eats; if he does, slowly increase CU to a max of .40. Cupramine is effective from .30 on up. Most fish can handle CU up to about .80. I see no reason to ever go above .40. IMO, frozen mysis is the best food for tangs while being medicated. You can add nori when he starts eating the mysis well. healthy fish can go a long time without eating. If this doesn't work after 2-3 days, then remove al copper, let him eat a few days and slowly ramp up again. I think the .50 suggested on the bottle is to high and SeaChem seems to agree. BTW, SeaChem has great tech support and you can call them Monday if you need to. i-888-seachem, I think. Here's some more poop on Cupramine, the FAQ are vital. http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Cupramine.html

 

[Deinonych]

Great, thanks so much for the info. I didn't have a batch of SW made up, so I have Cuprisorb in the filter right now. I'm going to take copper down to 0, then start over once he's eating normally. He showed some interest in food today, and nibbled at nori a bit, so that's a good sign that he's getting back to normal. I'll see how he does over the next few days, then start him back on Cupramine later in the week.