Help I think my wrasse is dieing or dead?

Supramike · Feb 1, 2015

Ok when I went to check the tank this morning I saw my wrasse between the rocks. He's not normally up at this time. And wasn't moving so I stuck my hand in to try to grab him out. And poof gone. I have a sand bottom and didn't see the normal sand cloud he makes when he goes under but I think he might have not sure. Lights have been on for a few hours I feed the tank and still no sign of him. It was just weird to see him sitting there not moving and now I can't find him. Is it ok to dig through the sand a little to see if I can find him? I'm not planning on completely turning it over just kinda putting my fingers through it to see if I can find him. Cause if he is dieing I don't want him to die under the sand. I'm about to do a water change and cleaning should I wait till I find him by poking around some before water change so if I disturb the sand bed and cause a spike of anything I can dilute it with the water change? Or just leave it and see if he comes out? Hope some of this made sense.

swhobbie1 · Feb 1, 2015

i think you should wait some more to see if he comes out. Poking around in the sand for him is a bad idea IMO.

SeahorseKeeper · Feb 1, 2015

swhobbie1 said:
i think you should wait some more to see if he comes out. Poking around in the sand for him is a bad idea IMO.

+1. The wrasse is probably very spooked and disrupting things will most likely do more harm than good.

eatbreakfast · Feb 1, 2015

Agreed with the above posts, you spooked him during the night, he is scared. Digging aroundd for him does more harm than good. Usually if a sand burying species of wrasse is about to die they have the tendency to leave the sand.

Supramike · Feb 1, 2015

Ok thought so. I just left it alone and did my maintenance still no sign of him. Nvm I just saw him. My son said this morning that maybe he had a late night and went to bed late lol. And thanks for the advice.

Supramike · Feb 1, 2015

Well he only stayed out for a bit then went away. Maybe I'm over exaggerating. But this is not normal behavior for him. He's normally out all day doing his thing.

phillrodrigo · Feb 1, 2015

Yea something is bothering him. Wrasses are very predictable. My Wrasse goes to bed at the same time every night. On my days off I sometimes leave my light on for a extra hour or 2. As soon as 9 o'clock hits he goes to bed even if my light is on at 100%. All my other fish stay out until lights go out.

eatbreakfast · Feb 2, 2015

The times I have seen their behavior change is when there is aggression toward him, when a bad storm is coming, and when it was going through sexual transition.