Yawning and heavy breathing while in copper treatment

[AnotherGrey]

I've just got my first pair of clowns and they've been in copper quarantine (Copper Power 2.20-2.4 ppm, measured with Hanna HR Copper Checker) since the 24th of May. I occasionally see the smaller one (darker color, let's call him Steven) twitched like he was having a spasm, and today, I noticed that his gills move more clearly than the bigger one. Steven used to eat vigorously, but he had barely touched any pellets while Nina (his female counterpart) ate like a tiger. Another thing is that they both yawn occasionally too. With Steven losing his appetite, breathing slightly more heavily, and yawning occasionally, I suspect that they might have gill flukes. Will it be OK for me to continue the copper treatment and then dose prazipro after 30 days, or should I give them a 5-minute RoDi freshwater dip and drop them straight back into the QT?

On a side note, I'm feeding them with pellets mixed with Metroplex, Focus, and Garlic guard because I can see white stringy poops in the tank from Nina initially, and then from Steven after 3 days.

The temperature is at 26-27 degree celcius, NH3, NO2 = 0. I haven't checked for NO3 yet, because I've been doing 10% water change which had always been predosed with 2.5 ppm copper. I also check the copper level every day, and I have an AOT to top off the water automatically. Surface agitation should be enough because I have an air stone + pump pointing upward to break the water surface.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I've just got my first pair of clowns and they've been in copper quarantine (Copper Power 2.20-2.4 ppm, measured with Hanna HR Copper Checker) since the 24th of May. I occasionally see the smaller one (darker color, let's call him Steven) twitched like he was having a spasm, and today, I noticed that his gills move more clearly than the bigger one. Steven used to eat vigorously, but he had barely touched any pellets while Nina (his female counterpart) ate like a tiger. Another thing is that they both yawn occasionally too. With Steven losing his appetite, breathing slightly more heavily, and yawning occasionally, I suspect that they might have gill flukes. Will it be OK for me to continue the copper treatment and then dose prazipro after 30 days, or should I give them a 5-minute RoDi freshwater dip and drop them straight back into the QT?

On a side note, I'm feeding them with pellets mixed with Metroplex, Focus, and Garlic guard because I can see white stringy poops in the tank from Nina initially, and then from Steven after 3 days.

The temperature is at 26-27 degree celcius, NH3, NO2 = 0. I haven't checked for NO3 yet, because I've been doing 10% water change which had always been predosed with 2.5 ppm copper. I also check the copper level every day, and I have an AOT to top off the water automatically. Surface agitation should be enough because I have an air stone + pump pointing upward to break the water surface.

Add another tube or two. This is clown hierarchy in which the larger often being female is the aggressor and is intimidating the smaller clown and often become greedy and try to eat most of the food that enters the tank, protect their area which may be an anemone, a nesting area, or the entire tank including the one tube you have in the tank. If it attacks your hand when you're trying to clean the glass or it won't let any other fish near its zone, you likely have a female clown. Often if you separate the female for a week or two into an acclimation box or sump, there may be a change in her behavior, and you will quickly see the male come out in the open
Other reasons for yawning is excessive mucus in gill or flukes but right now I believe its intimidation

 

[AnotherGrey]

Add another tube or two. This is clown hierarchy in which the larger often being female is the aggressor and is intimidating the smaller clown and often become greedy and try to eat most of the food that enters the tank, protect their area which may be an anemone, a nesting area, or the entire tank including the one tube you have in the tank. If it attacks your hand when you're trying to clean the glass or it won't let any other fish near its zone, you likely have a female clown. Often if you separate the female for a week or two into an acclimation box or sump, there may be a change in her behavior, and you will quickly see the male come out in the open
Other reasons for yawning is excessive mucus in gill or flukes but right now I believe its intimidation

I have a few tubes in there already, 2 clays, 3 pvc pipes, but they only host that one.

 

[AnotherGrey]

I have a few tubes in there already, 2 clays, 3 pvc pipes, but they only host that one.

also, idk why but my copper level keeps dropping back to 2.20-ish. I have no stone or porous media. I only use 2 sponges and a bunch of plastic bioballs. Could you shed some light on the matter?

 

[vetteguy53081]

also, idk why but my copper level keeps dropping back to 2.20-ish. I have no stone or porous media. I only use 2 sponges and a bunch of plastic bioballs. Could you shed some light on the matter?

Bio Bals may be what is reducing copper but the 2.2 is ideal and try to maintain that level

 

[IrezumiHurts]

also, idk why but my copper level keeps dropping back to 2.20-ish. I have no stone or porous media. I only use 2 sponges and a bunch of plastic bioballs. Could you shed some light on the matter?

2.2 is fine and the hanna copper checkers are really only good within +-0.1ppm anyways. I have 2 and use them both simultaneously when i test, one will read 1.9 and the other 1.8 or 1.83 etc almost every time. I also have the reference solution so i know they are both calibrated, and they take turns who is reading higher. Even you timing (15 sec shake, 45 sec timer) being off or not getting all the reagent out of the packet is enough to get slightly different results on the same sample.

All this to say if you are 2.2 you are golden. Your plastic media shouldnt be absorbing anything but even if it is it should be slight and will probably stop once whatever is becomes saturated. Its more an issue for using rock or a sand bed