What is wrong with my sons fish?

[julibob]

Cuprazin is not for velvet and is for saltwater tanks only. Keep using the protozin and if possible add a heater to slowly bring the temp up to 80f.

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Is protozin ok then? I am now totally confused. I do not have a spare heater, I have checked the temp and it is 78F, because of the warm weather we have had.

Why has the treatment not worked. Blackie is hanging in there, and comes up when I put food in, otherwise he just sits on the bottom.

Julia

 

[julibob]

His fins have been clamped for the last week and he is far from himself. He is just hanging in there.

Julia

 

[black angel]

Paul. I have never had anyone saying use cuprazin for velvet, have you tried this yourself?
Please tell me more i'm really interested. I didnt know it contained copper as its not a med ive ever thought would be successful if the fish werent freshwater.
I know copper is supposed to help treat this type of parasite.

 

[black angel]

How many days have you been using the protozin for?
Do not add any more salt or give him the salt bath now that he is clamping up.
The heat is good for him but i suggest a heater to keep the temperature stable.

 

[julibob]

How many days have you been using the protozin for?
Do not add any more salt or give him the salt bath now that he is clamping up.
The heat is good for him but i suggest a heater to keep the temperature stable.

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I added meds on days 1-4, day 5 no meds and then 1 dose on day 6 (yesterday). I added salt on day 1.

Julia

 

[WILDER]

Have you been doing any gravel vac in this time and water changes.

 

[black angel]

And he isnt looking any better? He must have it bad then.
Have you got overhead lights for the tank? and if so have they been on during the treatment?
The med will be deactivated if theres overhead lights on in the tank. Keeping the tank as dark as possible so only letting in minimum natural light is supposed to help.
Protozin is only active for 24 hours so the time inbetween can be used to do gravel vacs to clean out any spores.
Keep going to the end of the med and then do really big water changes to get rid of it.

If he still looks bad then you can either go with pauls suggestion of cuprazin or go again with the protozin at double the dose.
Either way, keep the lights off and no salt. And i'm afraid heat is the only way to quicken the life cycle, it may need to go up to 80f and adding extra oxygen is a must.

 

[julibob]

Ok, here goes.

V dark north facing room. Scaffolding outside so even darker! Lights in tank have been left off for the duration of treatment. I have done no water changes in this time as not to dilute the meds (30% water change and clearout just before start of treatment). I suppose I will have to treat again and buy a heater for the tank to maintain a higher temp?

Julia.

 

[WILDER]

I would recommend a water change and gravel vac before you redose, good luck.

 

[julibob]

I would recommend a water change and gravel vac before you redose, good luck.

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Thanks, I think I will need it!!!!!

Julia

 

[black angel]

Cant think of anything else to do, just hope and pray. I hate velvet, its much nastier than ich.

 

[WILDER]

So true and longer to get rid of, good luck.

 

[WILDER]

This sites be down for ages, it back now they have a good article on velvet.
http/www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/heal...thprotist.shtml

 

[julibob]

Thanks Wilder!! What an interesting article. I am now 99.9% certain that it is velvet (Not Ich) as it says that in the later stages it can even attach to they eyes (which is exactly what has happened to Blackie), they will sit on the bottom of the tank in a "malaise". I will do a 30% water change in the morning, add more salt and re-treat for another 6 days. He has lasted this long, so I have not lost hope for him yet!!!!!

Hopefully for Aidan's sake I can nurse him through this!

Julia

 

[WILDER]

Good luck.