Reasoning behind extending Cupramine treatment beyond manufacturer's recommendation?

[earwicker7]

Hey, all.

I bought a magnificent foxface from the LFS; while it looked fine, I noticed one of the fish in the tank had ich, so I am operating on the assumption that it also has been exposed... not a huge deal, as I assume every fish that isn't tank-bred has some health issues, which is why I quarantine all the fish I buy.

My normal QT procedure uses two weeks of Cupramine, and so far, no ich in the display tank. However, this is the first time I am positive the fish has been exposed, so I am curious about many people on the forum saying you need to use it for three weeks, or even four.

Is there a reason why this is recommended, when the manufacturer says two weeks is all that is necessary? Is it wiggle room for people who don't test the copper levels? I have no problem with keeping it in longer if it's really necessary, but I don't want to do it just because of internet wisdom

I let the foxface acclimate for three days before starting the Cupramine, and I am near the two week point... so far, no display of ich.

Thanks!

 

[JustinM]

2 weeks of cupramine is fine as long as the fish is moved to a sterile tank. If you are sure that your tank is ich free, you should be good. It is always wise to observe for a few weeks to make sure there are no bacterial infections and what not.

What I would do, add your fish to QT, treat for flukes and observe while treating for flukes. After the fluke treatment, treat with copper for 2 weeks(must be at therapeutic levels for 2 weeks), then add to the DT. Hope this helps

 

[earwicker7]

2 weeks of cupramine is fine as long as the fish is moved to a sterile tank. If you are sure that your tank is ich free, you should be good. It is always wise to observe for a few weeks to make sure there are no bacterial infections and what not.

What I would do, add your fish to QT, treat for flukes and observe while treating for flukes. After the fluke treatment, treat with copper for 2 weeks(must be at therapeutic levels for 2 weeks), then add to the DT. Hope this helps

That is normally my exact QT protocol... I just did Cupramine first this time since I know it was exposed to ich at the fish store.

 

[JustinM]

The thing with doing cupramine first is the copper will not kill the tomites and once you remove copper, you risk them hatching and bringing the infection to your tank. I would just do the full treatment and add the prazipro with it. Just make sure to aerate the water extremely well.