what are the symptoms of copper/cupramine overdose?
- Thread starter skraj011
- Start date
I don't know what the overdose symptoms are but fast breathing, loss of appetite, erratic swimming are some of the possible side effects.
AquaticFins
Premium Member
The initial sign of a serious overdose is usually gasping at the surface and disorientation.
Copper overdose causes the fish to produce an excess of mucus and destroys blood cells, both causing the fish to have difficulty getting enough oxygen.
Realistically, unless you're standing right there, you're not going to see symptoms so much as a dead fish the next time you look at the aquarium if you've seriously overdosed the tank.
With that said, copper can definitely do long-term organ damage at a less than fatal dose. The liver, kidneys, brain and reproductive organs can all be heavily affected by a non-fatal copper overdose. You probably won't see much in the way of symptoms at that point (although you may if you follow up a copper overdose with something else; a fish with heavily damaged kidneys or a liver may not survive a drug treatment that healthy fish would).
Some people looking to breed their fish try to avoid using copper or buying a fish from a system with copper for that reason.
It's critically important to use a test kit when medicating with copper.
Copper overdose causes the fish to produce an excess of mucus and destroys blood cells, both causing the fish to have difficulty getting enough oxygen.
Realistically, unless you're standing right there, you're not going to see symptoms so much as a dead fish the next time you look at the aquarium if you've seriously overdosed the tank.
With that said, copper can definitely do long-term organ damage at a less than fatal dose. The liver, kidneys, brain and reproductive organs can all be heavily affected by a non-fatal copper overdose. You probably won't see much in the way of symptoms at that point (although you may if you follow up a copper overdose with something else; a fish with heavily damaged kidneys or a liver may not survive a drug treatment that healthy fish would).
Some people looking to breed their fish try to avoid using copper or buying a fish from a system with copper for that reason.
It's critically important to use a test kit when medicating with copper.
MrTuskfish
Team RC
IMO, the secret to using copper is to introduce it gradually and increase slowly to the lowest therapeutic level (Most fish do well with Cupramine at about .35ppm.) I always make sure the fish is eating well before adding any copper, if he stops eating, that's usually the 1st sign to back off the copper. Red spots can occur too. If you go slowly and observe closely; you can usually avoid the severe symptoms described by AquaticFins above. Use only a Salifert (preferred) or Seachem copper test kit. I've had very good success with Cupramine using a slow method and always call their mfg, SeaChem with questions. They are great. (888-seachem I think.)
I know copper is controversial, I've use it on ever new fish for many years with excellent results. I think its almost impossible to find fish that haven't been treated with copper at some time. Collectors, shippers, wholesalers, online retailers, and many LFS use it routinely.
I know copper is controversial, I've use it on ever new fish for many years with excellent results. I think its almost impossible to find fish that haven't been treated with copper at some time. Collectors, shippers, wholesalers, online retailers, and many LFS use it routinely.
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