Marine Velvet horribleness

[naesco]

Unless there is some evidence of a parasite on the skin of the fish you should stop using copper treatments and remove the residue with charcoal.

The skin is exposed and therefor the fish is very susceptible to opportunistic fungal and bacterial infections.

I would recommend that you use a neomycin based saltwater anti-bacteria medication.
Follow the dosage recommendations carefully.

Wayne

[fishoholic]

Originally Posted by Lance

Yes, Laurie we all love you.

See I knew I was on the right track!

Originally Posted by naesco

Unless there is some evidence of a parasite on the skin of the fish you should stop using copper treatments and remove the residue with charcoal.

The skin is exposed and therefor the fish is very susceptible to opportunistic fungal and bacterial infections.

I would recommend that you use a neomycin based saltwater anti-bacteria medication.
Follow the dosage recommendations carefully.

Wayne

I don't see any of the velvet on his skin anymore, but a little over a week ago (before treatment) he was very covered in velvet. This disease hides so well, and has been very nasty, would only a week of copper treatment be enough? I would hate to risk pulling him out before the proper treatment time is over and risk everyone getting infected again but I would also hate to have him die from a fungal or bacterial infection.

Any thoughts?

[Lance]

Originally Posted by fishoholic

See I knew I was on the right track!



I don't see any of the velvet on his skin anymore, but a little over a week ago (before treatment) he was very covered in velvet. This disease hides so well, and has been very nasty, would only a week of copper treatment be enough? I would hate to risk pulling him out before the proper treatment time is over and risk everyone getting infected again but I would also hate to have him die from a fungal or bacterial infection.

Any thoughts?

Laurie, it is advised to run the Cupramine treatment for 14 days. IMO the risk of stopping treatment too early and having the disease come back is too great. Instructions on the bottle say 14 days, so that is what I did.

[fishoholic]

Originally Posted by Lance

Laurie, it is advised to run the Cupramine treatment for 14 days. IMO the risk of stopping treatment too early and having the disease come back is too great. Instructions on the bottle say 14 days, so that is what I did.

Ya that's was I was thinking. He will just have to wait for the melifix treatment.

[fishoholic]

So for some reason I can't find my cleaner wrasse anywhere. He was healthy looking swimming around lots and eating well Friday night. I think I saw him Sat. morning (but I'm not 100% sure) but since Sat. night I can't see him anywhere in the QT tank. I looked all around the QT tank in case he jumped out but I didn't find his body outside of the tank and I don't see his body inside of the tank.

Either he's hiding really really well (not sure how I couldn't see him since there isn't many hiding spots in QT) or he died and the other fish ate him leaving no evidence behind (which is hard to believe that there wouldn't be some pieces of his body left to find since there in a fairly empty QT tank) or he did jump and I just can't see his body anywhere

Wish I knew where he is

*edit* I found the cleaner wrasse inside of the heater cover (dead and stuck to the heater) the heater cover was put on the heater to protect the fish from burns, not to create an sleeping inferno for my wrasse to die in

[Parker]

You have animals so the body could be anywhere. I had a clown jump once and found the body upstairs. The cat had taken it up there.

[my2rotties]

If you can't find him my best guess is that he jumped out... I had a couple cleaner wrasses jump out and when they dry out, they are very tiny. Could be stuck under your sock and you would never know it.

[bulletsworld]

OOOooooooo geeeeeeeeeeshhhhhhh..... I feel bad I moved away, this happens and wasn't there for you girl. *SUPER HUGS* to you and Steve.

This is always the turning point in the hobby and an eye opener for all about QT. You guys were having a good run too. I was worried it was going to catch up to you. I'm so sorry it did. Been there in the past too. It’s a very hurtful experience I would never wish on anyone. *Super hugs* for all the pain you have been going through. I think its GREAT that you posted your experience. Give yourself a pat on that back cause your gonna get through this.

__________________________________________________ __________________________
K... lets get to the treatment...

You did the best thing with treating with Cupermine. It’s the more stable copper treatment (if dosed & tested regularly) in my experiences.

Make sure the treatment tank is dark? No, seriously... make sure it is. Besides light helps the parasite swim to light, find fish (host). The parasite doesn't die until it directly fall off the host into the copper water. Another reason to keep the lights off is this will also calm the fish, ease stress from crowding in a QT tank. Where they’re used to having a big tank.

***You were asking about the open wounds. There are two really good treatments... Melafix can be treated with saltwater and works GREAT! And fast! I am a big fan of more natural treatments and this is one of them. Example... I had a porcupine puffer (scaleless fish - which are very sensitive to any treatment) He was small and got sucked up into the powerhead. His gill and side of head was ripped open. I thought for sure he was a goner. I was so upset. I put him in a QT Tank and treated with Melafix. After two weeks, his blood red wound was healing. Let me look to see if I still have pictures I can show you how bad shape he was in. He made a complete recovery, which was amazing to me. He was a strong bugger and that is the puffer you met and had for a bit before the transfer. When you treat with Melafix in your QT tank it will fill with the aroma of vicks! Melafix will color your tank a bit yellow, but it works great.

Another med to use is SeaChem Kanaplex (kanamycin based) is a good treatment for infections. It also works well and can even be soaked in the food to administer. You can pick up a small tube of that at A.I or Big Al's for like $10 bucks.

Make sure not to treat with any of these until the copper treatment is completely done and tested gone. Make sure there is no more remaining copper in the QT tank before starting other treatments. I think in your case, because of the open wounds, Melafix would be your best option.


Best of luck to all the survivors. You will pull through this disaster. I promise. *superhugs*