Copper... Eel Safe?

[SoloChromis]

Is it safe to use Cupramine in a tank housing a zebra moray eel? Nobody seems to know for sure, it's all mainly here-say "I bet if you lowered the dosage it wouldn't hurt" etc. I'm wanting FACTS and/or experiences. Thanks

[snorvich]

I am not an eel guy (in aquariums any way) but the person who is an expert is syrinx.

[Dmorty217]

I'm not a expert but I don't think copper is... Chloroquine Phosphate is eel safe for sure

[mav3rick478]

When I worked at Coral Fish HI we had copper in the main system for all fish and eels in the store. Don't know exactly what brand we used but there were not many back then in the 90's. Inverts were in a separate system without copper.

[AirForceAquariu]

^^ not to be rude but that doesn't necessarily mean it is safe. I assume you probably ran at non-therapeutic levels which could have been ok temporarily, but at therapeutic levels that might not be true.

Again, not starting an argument. It is just dangerous to offer that anecdotal advice since it is sort of apples to oranges.

[mav3rick478]

Originally Posted by AirForceAquariu

^^ not to be rude but that doesn't necessarily mean it is safe. I assume you probably ran at non-therapeutic levels which could have been ok temporarily, but at therapeutic levels that might not be true.

Again, not starting an argument. It is just dangerous to offer that anecdotal advice since it is sort of apples to oranges.

No offense taken, I know we ran it as if we were treating for Ick I just don't know the exact level because it was back in the 90s. It was basically to rid all the livestock of parasites since they were all caught locally and we had some imported. So it was theraputic levels, I even remember weekly the boss going around with a measuring vile and dispersing copper throughout the tank system so that it wasn't too concentrated in one area for too long and was more evenly dispersed before it ran throughout the whole system.

[syrinx]

No copper for eels. It might not kill them right off-but is has happened. I remember copper in the 90`s- didnt keep levels easily, anything less than lab grade tests were inaccurate, so usually it was under or overdosed. While this would suggest why eels may have lived in "coppered" tanks-it also suggests that they may have been killed by over medication as well- so I would discount anecdotal data on both sides from that era.

But among people who have studied eels-copper is not considered a reasonable risk. WHile it is not as toxic to them as it is sharks and rays, they do react poorly to it. Since eels are far less likely to succumb from ich, the general treatment is isolation, clean water and good feeding. Tank transfer is not a practical option for most eels! Hyposalinity would be safe-but again would be more stress than just letting it run its course in isolation for 3 months or so.

[AirForceAquariu]

Since I am curious and a student of this hobby: Why would TTM not be suitable for eels? I can think of a few reasons that might make sense but just would like to hear it from someone who knows.

[rssjsb]

Originally Posted by AirForceAquariu

Since I am curious and a student of this hobby: Why would TTM not be suitable for eels? I can think of a few reasons that might make sense but just would like to hear it from someone who knows.

If I had to guess, as someone who has kept eels before, I would say (1) escape risk - all TTM tanks would have to be securely covered; (2) tank size might present an issue for larger specimens; (3) eels are just harder to catch, handle, and transfer - you definitely can't catch and move them with your hands, which a lot of people prefer to do with TTM method to reduce stress. Beyond that, I don't know.

[syrinx]

All of the above and add in the fact that eels have a mucus coat that is easily damaged, and their skin easily abraded which opens them up to bacterial infections.

[snorvich]

Thanks syrinx!