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Question:

is it safe to use copper with scaleless fish?

I've heard it's safe to treat puffers for ich with copper if you use half the recommended dosage, is this true? if so is it effective.

Answer:

No - copper's not really good for and can kill scaleless fish or invertebrates.
Even if it isnt effective, dont but more than half, unless hes gonna die from it.
Sometimes that works, but it's harder to kill whatever parasite you're treating for. Puffers and some other fish are difficult to treat because of their sensitivity to medications. I've used RidIch at 1/2 to 3/4 dose twice a day for a week and a half ; and had reasonably good success, but water changes are essential before every other day or so. Treating with RidIch requires that you continue dosing for 5 additional days, after the last time you see any sign of Ich. (Copper can't be re-dosed like this because it builds up in the tank and would exceed the safe dosage and RidIch is not considered safe for puffers, check the current label, some formulations have changed) Gravel vacuuming gently but efficiently helps as well. You can also do a saltwater dip, using freshwater aquarium salt, but you have to watch for stress, match the tank temperature and be cautious. If the tank water isn't already brackish, you could increase the salt level slowly over a week or two , to a value of 1.015 if your other fish are tolerant and you don't have plants. good luck
Get some SeaChem Paraguard, works like a charm. I often just do a hyposalinity treatment in a quarantine tank and it works very well also.

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