Seahorses and Copper

[macman7010]

In the tank with my H. Erectus is a pair of Black Onyx Percula Clowns. The clowns, oddly since nothing has changed in about 6 months, came down with ich. Since the tank does not contain any inverts I added some Cupramine by SeaChem to the tank. When I added it I didnt really think about it having an adverse effect on the seahorses although this morning (I added the Cupramine last night) they seemed extra stressed. Does Copper have an adverse effect on seahorses?

 

[ann83]

Yes. At least, most of what has been written on seahorses has suggested that they are sensitive to copper and it has an adverse affect. Most of this has to do with the fact that they do not have scales like most fish and are categorized with scaleless fish like gobies which also cannot be treated with copper. Their internal organs may also be more sensitive to the treatment. Get the SH out of the main tank and into clean water. Even if copper was acceptable for treating sick seahorses, you still should never treat a fish that isn't sick. Especially not with copper since copper is so had on fish, essentially slowly poisoning them. Also, be aware that now that you treated your main display with copper, it is a permanent hospital tank and you likely can't ever put the seahorses back in or add any inverts.
Do you really not keep any snails for clean up crew in your display tank? Also, doesn't copper kill live rock?

 

[suliaman007]

from what i know, copper doesnt kill the lr, but it will the inverts.

 

[suliaman007]

also the coral