perplexed ?

[JJIM]

I have been having difficulty curing some of my fish and others have died in the process. Currently my scotts fairy wrasse and lubuks fairy wrasses are both sitting on the bottom not eating with the dorsal fin fanned out. They have been this way for a 5 days or so and I have checked many parameters. My lawnmower blenny has been this way longer. Currently I am using Cupermine, Marycn II, and Prazi. I had been using Marycn I and II in conjunction with Cupermine but recently stopped the M I. I have changed the water every few days, about a 25% change that is and made sure the ammonia levels are in check. Never a problem here, also have two ammonia alerts to help maintain levels with a quick visual. Additionally I put a couple air stones in the tank to ensure proper oxygen levels. Salinity is at 1.022 currently. I wash out the sponge filters every week or so that sit below each MJ 1200 powerhead. The tank is a 55 gallon which will be turned into a semi-reef when all the disease is gone, that is if I can kick it. On some of the past fish that have died I have seen white spots, yet this time I see nothing? I am thinking there was ich at one time, but over the last three weeks of treatment I am guessing much of it had passed with the cupermine treatment, yet I still have fish being lethargic, not eating, and acting abnormal. Some fish seem fine, while others not so much... distressing. Is it velvet or something else that I should be considering?

Sorry for the rant, but I wanted to get as much info into the body as possible to help troubleshoot.

 

[Ryan2013]

Possibly a reaction to the cuprimine? An overdose or just general reaction. You could try moving them to a QT tank to see if they recover.

Just an idea.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

We will need a more detailed chronological listing of events. Do I infer correctly that you have a 55 gal DT that had some fish in it and diseases showed up (after you added a new fish, perhaps)? Thus, you started to treat with Cupramine, Marcyn and PraziPro at the same time.

When did this start and how long have you been medicating? Did you use all 3 (or 4) meds at the same time? This can stress the fish a lot. People typically use Cupramine and PraziPro at the same time with no problems, but generally not 3 or 4 meds at a time except in an emergency.

Have you been testing for ammonia? What test kit? You seem to know that the test kit results will be thrown off by the Cupramine, so you also have 2 ammonia alert badges. They will work even with Cupramine but the ammonia level may be pretty significant by the time the badge alert is triggered. The badges are a good idea but you can still have some ammonia issues.

How are you monitoring Cupramine levels? Just dosing according to the instructions (including i water changes) or via a test kit (which one)? What level of dose are you using?

Air stones are good.

Do you have any live rock or sand? They can absorb copper and thus limit the effectiveness of treatment.

How are you washing out your sponge filters? You should only swish large particles off. If you wring them out you may lose your nitrifying bacteria and you will lose it if you are rinsing them in fresh water. Also, some antibiotics can affect your bacterial filter. Is this your only bacterial filter?

If you are not seeing any signs of parasites, it is possible that your fish are stressed by the meds plus ammonia. We need to know more to try and help.

 

[JJIM]

We will need a more detailed chronological listing of events. Do I infer correctly that you have a 55 gal DT that had some fish in it and diseases showed up (after you added a new fish, perhaps)? Thus, you started to treat with Cupramine, Marcyn and PraziPro at the same time. I bought several new fish and have them in a bare QT tank (55 gal) that has only pvc, glass jars, and plastic plants for cover. Nothing that will absorb the chemicals.

When did this start and how long have you been medicating? Did you use all 3 (or 4) meds at the same time? This can stress the fish a lot. People typically use Cupramine and PraziPro at the same time with no problems, but generally not 3 or 4 meds at a time except in an emergency. Yes, I started with cupermine and then went to other meds as the fish were failing to recover like I expected.

Have you been testing for ammonia? What test kit? You seem to know that the test kit results will be thrown off by the Cupramine, so you also have 2 ammonia alert badges. They will work even with Cupramine but the ammonia level may be pretty significant by the time the badge alert is triggered. The badges are a good idea but you can still have some ammonia issues.

How are you monitoring Cupramine levels? Just dosing according to the instructions (including i water changes) or via a test kit (which one)? What level of dose are you using? Seachem test kit. I have two separate kits that I have used interchangably. Both are on target.

Air stones are good. Yes, it wanted to ensure I had all my basis covered and that was one of the last things I implemented.

Do you have any live rock or sand? Nope, see above! They can absorb copper and thus limit the effectiveness of treatment.

How are you washing out your sponge filters? You should only swish large particles off. If you wring them out you may lose your nitrifying bacteria and you will lose it if you are rinsing them in fresh water. Also, some antibiotics can affect your bacterial filter. Is this your only bacterial filter? I have been cleaning them entirely with fresh water, but from mixed reviews I've read it appears that gram + and gram - meds such as the Marycn I and II would kill all good bacteria anyhow, thus the water changes and monitoring levels have been regular.

If you are not seeing any signs of parasites, it is possible that your fish are stressed by the meds plus ammonia. We need to know more to try and help.

Possibly stressed, but I was looking for something I am missing? I also isolated a flameback angel in my tank in case it was harrassing fish when I didn't notice, but still no changes.

I failed to add that my pH has been between 7.8-8.0 with a Pinpoint probe monitor. Anything else to check for I may have missed?