Signs of fish distress during copper treatment?

[smootie]

What are some signs of fish distress that I should be on the lookout for during copper treatment? I am currently treating with Cupramine and a couple of my fish seem very unhappy. My Randall's goby is laying very still on the substrate in his little cave, and my firefish is also laying very still in a cave breathing faster than normal.

I just want to make sure the treatment doesn't do more harm than good. Thanks!

 

[biger]

did you use a test kit with the copper to make sure you didn't overdo it?

 

[smootie]

No, I didn't. I left the store and by the time I remembered that I needed the test kit, they were already closed. I know that I shouldn't dose anything I can't measure (been lurking on RC for awhile now! )

However, the half-strength dosage is 18 drops per 10.5 gallons, and my water volume is 32 gallons. Knowing I could get a test kit before I needed to increase the Cupramine to full strength, I added 50 drops, slightly less than recommended, rather than risk waiting two days to treat my fish.

Anyhow, what would be the symptoms that I had overdosed? That information would be really helpful.

I've read so many articles that say to stop treatment if the fish are "distressed", but no one actually describes what that means. Personally, what I would look for is great difficulty breathing or erratic/panicked swimming. However, I'm just a beginner and those are just my assumptions.

 

[flameangel88]

Check the PH because copper may cause it to drop and in my case it dropped quite a bit. Also try to increase the flow if you see any sign of heavy breathing.

 

[Texastravis]

With Cupramine PH could and will definately decrease. I find it best to place a power head at water lvl so that you have a lot of waves/circulation on the surface of the water. This keeps PH high along with providing all the necessary oxygen your fishes need ^.^

 

[kevin2000]

My 02

When using copper you should always use a test kit ... as I recall Cupramine isn't recognized by many test kits so make sure that your kit works with Cupramine (suggest you look at the Seachem website or call for info).

I don't agree with the other posts ... PH induced stess isn't a normal problem when using Curpramine.

 

[dones20]

COPPER SAFE as i have mentioned before is imo way better and safer than cupramine i have used since i can remeber and have had great succes even when acidentially overdosed.... and not to mention i have never tested copper before

 

[elkinsda]

Mardel Coppersafe is a good product to use. I've saved many fish with this product.


-Derek