Marine Velvet and Copper

[brians_224]

Thanks for your time!

The blue hippo I purchased on saturday may have Marine Velvet. He's currently in QT (thankfully). Everything I've read on line reports that copper is the most effective. I've also read that copper is extra hard on tangs - something to do with there digestive tract. Hypo is supposed to be ineffective as well.

Whats left for treatment - garlic/diet?

[Steven Pro]

If your fish has velvet, don't waste time. Use copper. Velvet kills fast.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-07/sp/feature/index.htm

The theory regarding tangs and copper is overblown in my opinion.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/sp/index.htm

[brians_224]

Thanks for your post Steven!

I've read many of your other posts regarding ich treatments.

When I see references to c - irritants - is marine velvet included in this class? Is marine velvet a form of ich or are the two very different?

[brians_224]

A follow up question -

I first becam concern last night at lights out. I wasn't able to inspect the fish this am.

Could a fish become severely infected with ich in less than 24 hours?

I was VERY careful about acclimating the fish and keeping the lfs water seperate from my qt. From my readings this should've lessened the number of parasites - I'm referring to the 4 step transfer method. Essentially moving the fish to an unifected environement,

[Steven Pro]

Marine Ich and Marine Velvet are two totally different animals, Cryptocaryon irritans and Amyloodinium ocellatum respectively. They are similar though in that they both have similar modes of reproduction and both can be treated with copper.