Unresponsive velvet!!

Ugh! Have a 20 gal biowheel tank. Am having major velvet outbreak. Have figure 8 puffer and cowfish. Cowfish died already. Found him sitting on bottom of tank, fins flapping but not breathing and blind from thick cataracts. Now my puffer has developed the same cataracts, is covered in whitish/yellow fine powder, side fins are clutched by his side, and he is scratching himself on everything in sight. I have been treating with No-Ich for about 5 days now with worsening symptoms. Also used Melafix today for his eyes. We had him in regular saltwater but gradually dropped his salinity to 1.015, and bumped up the temp to 82 degrees. Also added Stresscoat. My question is, is he a hopeless case at this point? Should I switch treatment therapy to Quick Cure? My LGW is closed and Wal-Mart does not sell copper meds. Water testing all normal except slightly elevated nitrites (lfs tested it earlier today, did not tell me numbers, just slightly pink nitrite test). He is alone in the tank. There is LS substrate. Also, he keeps pulling his tail to his side and turning almost sideways before correcting himself but he is still swimming atleast. hate to see lil guy like this. I added last dose of No-Ich at 6:30 am and its now 10:30 almost, can I do quick cure meds now, even though its not been 24 hours? And at this point, would a freshwater dip help at all or stress him out to breaking point?

 

Maybe this is significant too... he usually poops what looks like bloodworms but he is now pooping black stuff. Maybe that's TMI..

 

This link provides the best treatment options IMO. The current medications you are using will not effectively treat velvet disease.

Marine Velvet/Amyloodinium ocellatum: A Discussion of this Disease and its Available Treatment Options - Reefkeeping.com


Hopefully the link will be of some assistance.

 

Informative link.. thanks for posting. Wish I could get some copper meds but everywhere is closed and I don't think he will make it through the night. I did a
FW bath for 3 mins or so and a lot of stringy material with airbubbles started showing up. I'm guessing this is parasites... anyway, he seemed happier in the FW than he was before. Just did a water change to get that No-Ich meds out and put in some blue meds called Quick cure. It's all I could find in Walmart. Is this thick black poop a bad sign? He's pooped 4 times in the past couple hrs. Never been black before.

 

I am sorry I do not know the answer regarding change and frequency of waste. Good to know the FW bath provided some relief. Hopefully your fish can hang in there until you are able to design a plan and get the appropriate treatments.

Too bad it is not on better terms, but Welcome to 3reef. Hopefully someone else with some insight will chime in and offer assistance.

 

Its morning. And hes still alive but barely.he is sitting at the bottom of the tank, breathing, but not swimming. Just like the cowfish acted before he left us. I think I have done all I can do. he will likely be dead before store opens for copper. thanks corailline for atleast replying.

 

cowfish need 120 gallon tank AT LEAST!!!!

 

Agreed. Also considering the amount of biomass that the puffer will put out your really should either get a bigger tank, or stick with damsels.


We've all been in your position, maybe not to the extent that you are currently, but the need to have a large tank in this hobby is paramount.

 

Sad to hear about your puffer. Hope he made it.
You may also double check that any meds you use on it are ok for scaleless fish as some are too harsh/not reccommendedfor them.

 

your tank is extremely inefficient for saltwater, the filtration is pathetic and its too small for much. the cowfish was a mistake, they get nearly 2 feet long, also the puffers reach about 8 inches so probably at least a 55 gallon. i would get a more eficient tank with a sump and start over you are extremely limited with what you have and thats the last thing you want in this hobby