Copperband Butterfly with an infection? Help?

Niterunner77 · Jul 5, 2018

Just noticed my CBB has a nasty looking spot on his side in the middle and I’m trying to figure out what it might be. Maybe a bacterial infection? He’s swimming around fine and eating very well like always. I’ve had him about a year and a half. Not sure what actions to take and what to treat him with. Never had a fish with anything wrong before. Don’t know what to do. Help would be greatly appreciated!!

HotRocks · Jul 5, 2018

I would agree that it is a bacterial infection. Very common in CBB's.

I would pull the fish immediately, move to a QT and start NFG or the "trifecta" (furan-2, Kanaplex, and Metroplex) immediately.

Do you have ABX on hand?

GoldeneyeRet · Jul 5, 2018

I agree with hotrocks. I would treat with NFG immediately.

Good luck

Niterunner77 · Jul 5, 2018

HotRocks said:
I would agree that it is a bacterial infection. Very common in CBB's.

I would pull the fish immediately, move to a QT and start NFG or the "trifecta" (furan-2, Kanaplex, and Metroplex) immediately.

Do you have ABX on hand?

The only thing I have on hand is Metroplex. I can get the other 2 by Saturday.

Big G · Jul 5, 2018

Time is not your friend. Once a CBB is showing the "red sore" condition the clock is ticking. A bath in Ruby Reef Rally would also help. Another option would be Triple Sulfa + Neoplex, if that is more readily available. Best of luck. Beautiful fish.

Humblefish · Jul 5, 2018

Niterunner77 said:
The only thing I have on hand is Metroplex. I can get the other 2 by Saturday.

Sorry to be blunt, but you don't have until Saturday. That fish needs antibiotic treatment ASAP.

A 90 min acriflavine bath might buy you some time: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acriflavine.282887/

Dr. Reef · Jul 5, 2018

Agreed with all above comments.
Bacterial infections spread within the fish very rapidly and sores get infected quick. There is abundance of bacteria and nasty's in our tanks. Fish won't last very long unless treated. Antiseptic and antibiotics treatments are must at this point and as quickly as possible.

Niterunner77 · Jul 6, 2018

I got him into quarantine and was able to go get some kanaplex and furan-2 to go with my metroplex I have yesterday evening. As of this morning he is still doing good. I’ll update when I get back home from work. Thanks for all the help guys!

Nopy117 · Jul 6, 2018

Niterunner77 said:
I got him into quarantine and was able to go get some kanaplex and furan-2 to go with my metroplex I have yesterday evening. As of this morning he is still doing good. I’ll update when I get back home from work. Thanks for all the help guys!

Awesome job!, keep us updated!

jd371 · Jul 6, 2018

Kudos on the quick response. My first CBB in QT developed an infection and died within a day, all I had on hand was Metroplex. With the next CBB I made sure to have the trifecta if needed and started a round of antibiotics from day one in the QT.

Humblefish · Jul 6, 2018

Niterunner77 said:
I got him into quarantine and was able to go get some kanaplex and furan-2 to go with my metroplex I have yesterday evening. As of this morning he is still doing good. I’ll update when I get back home from work. Thanks for all the help guys!

Good job!

Big G · Jul 6, 2018

+ 1 Kudos for taking such great care of your fish

Niterunner77 · Jul 11, 2018

Wanted to update everyone to let you know that my CBB is doing a lot better! He is healing and eating very well. When I came home the first day after treating him, he really was worrying me. He wasn’t moving much and looked to be having trouble swimming. But later on he started swimming around more and getting back to his old self! Thank you so much for the support and help of this community! I will say that y’all saved his life cause I had never dealt with any infections like this before and absolutely had no idea what to treat him with. I believe as I was told by y’all that if I would have went a couple more hours I would have lost him. It happened soooo fast! Thank you once again!