Velvet Won’t Go Away!

I’ve had this tank for almost a year now and I’ve been dealing with this velvet for the majority of that year. I’ve lost 4 dwarf cories and a platy to it and I’m about to lose a Molly. I originally tried covering the tank and turning off all light (for weeks) which didn’t work and for the past few months I’ve been treating with Cupramine. Nothing has worked and any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Stocking: 1 angelfish, 1 Pleco, 2 Molly/platy, 1 dwarf cory (planning on adding a few once this clears up), 8 serpae tetras

Size: 36 gallons w/ filter and heater (78 degrees)

Parameters: I’ve heard Cupramine can mess up the tests but my PH is normally around 7.6, I’ve never had problems with ammonia (30-50% water changes every week), nitrates are usually 10-20 and nitrite is normally 0

Any help with this will be very appreciated. I’ve tried everything I know how to do for this and I really don’t want to lose more fish to this. I can try to get pictures in the morning but the tank lights are all off right now.

 

Try adding aquarium salt, and remove the carbon from your filter.

 

Are you 100% sure it is velvet ?

 

Are you 100% sure it is velvet ?

Cupramine [copper] really should kill velvet.
Do you have a copper test kit to detect the level of copper you have installed ?

 

Are you 100% sure it is velvet ?

It’s the only thing I can find that matches what’s been happening. My fish started getting a gold shine to them and rubbing against things. Here’s some pictures. They’re not great but it’s all I can get.

 

Cupramine [copper] really should kill velvet.
Do you have a copper test kit to detect the level of copper you have installed ?

I don’t have a copper test kit. I know I really need one but I haven’t been able to find one in Petsmart or my local fish store.

 

Try adding aquarium salt, and remove the carbon from your filter.

Will epsom salt work too and is it safe for all the fish in the tank? The carbon is already out of my filter (just filter floss in it).

 

Only one other cure for velvet which is hard to find,
This on copper ;
Treatment

Initiate treatment immediately because the disease has such a high mortality level if not treated quickly. Treatment for this disease is almost exclusively with . There has been some success reported with the use of the antimalarial drug chloroquine diphosphate but the drug is expensive, difficult to obtain, and therefore not a common treatment option. Copper comes in several forms including ionic and chelated forms. The chelated forms are supposed to be safer but the total amount used is higher, possibly offsetting the safety benefits.

Copper is very effective but can be ineffective or toxic if not used at very specific levels. Choose a high quality product, follow the directions closely, monitor the copper levels in the water, and adjust accordingly. When copper is used, the water should be tested twice a day for copper levels for the first few days, and then daily for the rest of the treatment period. Most sources recommend an ionic copper level of between 0.15 and 0.2 parts per million for a minimum of 14 days. Alkalinity and the presence of carbonate-containing substrates can impact the absorption and release of free copper in the water.
I would search marine sites and order a cu test.
I might euthanize the molly also ? Couldn't see the angel real clear but if that is velvet it is a real threat to all other fish in tank .

 

The molly seems to have something else (as welll. Finrot aso

 

The molly seems to have something else (as welll. Finrot aso

I think the fin rot is due to the velvet. His tail had a lot of velvet and then it eventually just started rotting.

 

I think the fin rot is due to the velvet. His tail had a lot of velvet and then it eventually just started rotting.

Is it completely covered?

 

I think the fin rot is due to the velvet. His tail had a lot of velvet and then it eventually just started rotting.

The rot is a secondary infection IMO from not killing the original issue .

 

I just read this ;
Flubendazole 10 % powder
Best for eliminating Hydra. Treats protozoa wasting disease, serious treatment for Velvet, enternal and external parasites, 1/4 teaspoon of 10 % powder treats about 20 gallons of water for most parasitic Protozoa. Eliminate Carbon filtration during treatment. Change most of the water after 10 days. Will not harm plants, Prolonged use will kill most snails. ........
Might be worth a try if you are still having issue ?