Started a hospital tank

[DolbyCat]

I think I have marine velvet. Some of the fish I have left (lost 2 clowns a fuzzy lion and a forcept butterfly (I'M LOOSING MY MIND!!!!!!!!!)) are somewhat covered in a white coating. There scratching and twitching, the ones affected anyway. Thats strange too, not all the fish are infected, I think. My damsels, hawk, foxface, and blennys seem fine?! But my tangs (sailfin and atlantic) and my angel (maculosis) I have moved into a hospital tank and began treating w/ coppersafe. My main tank I've been treating with "Rally" for the last 3 days and have seen no improvement. If anyone can offer any advice I'm diying to save my tank!

 

[TerryB]

Velvet usually invovles all the fish in the tank. Ich usually shows up on some of the fish and spreads later. Do you know what ich (Cryptocaryon irritans) looks like? Velvet or amyloodinium isn't usually visible on the fish until the infection is advanced. Then I would expect a fine powder on the fish that is more a beige than a white. Ich spots get larger and look like salt on the fish. The spots are small at first so it can be hard to tell the difference, but it makes a big difference in how you should treat it. Are all the fish scratching a lot and breathing very rapidly?

If you are going to use copper then Cupramine is the only type I can recommend. IMO, it is safer and more effective than any other copper by far. Don't add a full or large dose on the first day. The fish have a defense mechanism that allows them to tolerate more copper if they don't get too much the first day. That is why the instructions for Cupramine say to add half the dose on the first day and then another half on the second day. Even then, you have to test the copper level twice a day and add more as needed. I am guessing you didn't quarantine and that is how you got such a mess on your hands.

Terry B

 

[DolbyCat]

The fish (2 tands and angel) seem to be doing pretty good in the hos. tank. they are eating fine but they still look covered with velvet specialally at nite.
How long should I continue treatment ? Time is not an issue. I dont want to risk a 2nd infestation.

 

[TerryB]

Treat for 3 weeks minimum. What medication are you using?

Terry B

 

[DolbyCat]

useing coppersafe bout .5-.75 ppm right noe day 3

 

[TerryB]

I don't trust any copper but Cupramine and I test the level twice a day.

Terry B