Copperband Butterfly

Aretes · Aug 29, 2016

I'm on day 2 of TTM and while feeding today I noticed that the fish had a red blotch on the side. As well as a slight red on the base of his pectoral fins. I've been doing lots of research leading up to this purchase and have waited a while waiting for one that seemed to have a good appetite. I would hate to lose this fish and I would really appreciate any help. On a side note, the fish seems to stay at a 45 degree angle at night but is vertical during the day, should I be worried about this?

Aretes · Aug 29, 2016

Also in the process of getting better pictures

Humblefish · Aug 29, 2016

Bacterial infection, very common in new butterflyfish. This is the best stuff I've used for treating red marks on butterflies: http://store.nationalfishpharm.com/NFP-products-Nitrofuracin-Green-59584.Item.html

Kanaplex and/or Furan-2 are other treatment options.

Aretes · Aug 29, 2016

Humblefish said:
Bacterial infection, very common in new butterflyfish. This is the best stuff I've used for treating red marks on butterflies: http://store.nationalfishpharm.com/NFP-products-Nitrofuracin-Green-59584.Item.html

Kanaplex and/or Furan-2 are other treatment options.

Thank you, would General Aid work? I've used it before on a naso tang with a bacterial infection. It states on the bottle that it'll work against bacterial diseases such as finrot, lesions, ulcers, sores, and general debility.

Humblefish · Aug 29, 2016

Aretes said:
Thank you, would General Aid work? I've used it before on a naso tang with a bacterial infection. It states on the bottle that it'll work against bacterial diseases such as finrot, lesions, ulcers, sores, and general debility.

Do you mean API General Cure? That medication is better for deworming; the metronidazole component of it only targets anaerobic bacteria.

Aretes · Aug 29, 2016

Humblefish said:
Do you mean API General Cure? That medication is better for deworming; the metronidazole component of it only targets anaerobic bacteria.

No I have Petcetra General Aid, and it is OLD. I couldn't find an expiry date on it but I used it a while back while I was in a pinch before I knew any better.

melypr1985 · Aug 29, 2016

Aretes said:
No I have Petcetra General Aid, and it is OLD. I couldn't find an expiry date on it but I used it a while back while I was in a pinch before I knew any better.

Meds have an expiration date. I dont think I'd use that. You really want an antibiotic here. The meds Humble suggested are your best bet here. In my experience, you want to act quickly to start treating that because they can go downhill quickly after you first see the red spot.

Aretes · Aug 29, 2016

Ok, thanks for all the help. Will be getting the meds shortly.

Aretes · Sep 7, 2016

@Humblefish @melypr1985
Hi, after doing the recommended treatments of kanaplex the fish has recovered completely on one side. But the other side had deteriorated badly and the fish has lost some appetite and weight as well. Is there anything else I can do? Here's a picture

melypr1985 · Sep 7, 2016

Aretes said:
@Humblefish @melypr1985
Hi, after doing the recommended treatments of kanaplex the fish has recovered completely on one side. But the other side had deteriorated badly and the fish has lost some appetite and weight as well. Is there anything else I can do? Here's a picture

OK. So looking back I see two treatment options suggested. Did you do the General Cure? Or the Kanaplex?

Aretes · Sep 7, 2016

Just kanaplex.

melypr1985 · Sep 7, 2016

Aretes said:
Just kanaplex.

Ok. It might be time to put him in QT with a combination of meds to get that infection. Kanaplex+furan2+Metroplex will cover a very wide spectrum and should knock that out if we get to it in time.

Humblefish · Sep 7, 2016

melypr1985 said:
Ok. It might be time to put him in QT with a combination of meds to get that infection. Kanaplex+furan2+Metroplex will cover a very wide spectrum and should knock that out if we get to it in time.

Another antibiotic combo that seems to work particularly well on butterflies is this: http://store.nationalfishpharm.com/NFP-products-Nitrofuracin-Green-59584.Item.html

Nitrofurazone is one of the main ingredients, and that is also the active ingredient for Furan-2. So go with Furan-2 if that can be obtained sooner. Also, when treating for a bacterial disease/infection you must use antibiotics for 10 consecutive days.