Carpenter Wrasse Suddenly Lethargic, Not Eating

[WeekendShepherd]

Good morning everyone,

Yesterday I woke up and found my Carpenter wrasse at the bottom of the tank looking weak. I have had this fish for about 5 months now, so he isn’t new. I managed to put him in an isolation box within the tank, but as of this morning he is behaving the same. No other fish is acting abnormal currently.

When I first got him he acted much the same, but I figured it was him acclimating, and after a few days he was back to being normal and seemed fine since. I also have an Exquisite Fairy Wrasse who is definitely dominant in the tank, and I put the Carpenter wrasse in the isolation box in the tank for a few days when introducing him, and they have seemed fine since; I do catch the Exquisite chasing the Carpenter sometimes, but no one has ever had torn fins or noticeable injury.

The only thing that has changed recently is the additional of some trochus snails and Bali hermit crabs, who also seem to be doing fine.

If anyone has any ideas or experienced similar with your wrasse please let me know. I’ve also attached a picture from this morning, I don’t think I see any noticeable sign of disease but I’ve also never dealt with something like Ich or Velvet before.

Thank you!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Good morning everyone,

Yesterday I woke up and found my Carpenter wrasse at the bottom of the tank looking weak. I have had this fish for about 5 months now, so he isn’t new. I managed to put him in an isolation box within the tank, but as of this morning he is behaving the same. No other fish is acting abnormal currently.

When I first got him he acted much the same, but I figured it was him acclimating, and after a few days he was back to being normal and seemed fine since. I also have an Exquisite Fairy Wrasse who is definitely dominant in the tank, and I put the Carpenter wrasse in the isolation box in the tank for a few days when introducing him, and they have seemed fine since; I do catch the Exquisite chasing the Carpenter sometimes, but no one has ever had torn fins or noticeable injury.

The only thing that has changed recently is the additional of some trochus snails and Bali hermit crabs, who also seem to be doing fine.

If anyone has any ideas or experienced similar with your wrasse please let me know. I’ve also attached a picture from this morning, I don’t think I see any noticeable sign of disease but I’ve also never dealt with something like Ich or Velvet before.

Thank you!

Is breathing shallow or normal? Additionally if it swims, is it struggling or hard to stay bouyant?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Good morning everyone,

Yesterday I woke up and found my Carpenter wrasse at the bottom of the tank looking weak. I have had this fish for about 5 months now, so he isn’t new. I managed to put him in an isolation box within the tank, but as of this morning he is behaving the same. No other fish is acting abnormal currently.

When I first got him he acted much the same, but I figured it was him acclimating, and after a few days he was back to being normal and seemed fine since. I also have an Exquisite Fairy Wrasse who is definitely dominant in the tank, and I put the Carpenter wrasse in the isolation box in the tank for a few days when introducing him, and they have seemed fine since; I do catch the Exquisite chasing the Carpenter sometimes, but no one has ever had torn fins or noticeable injury.

The only thing that has changed recently is the additional of some trochus snails and Bali hermit crabs, who also seem to be doing fine.

If anyone has any ideas or experienced similar with your wrasse please let me know. I’ve also attached a picture from this morning, I don’t think I see any noticeable sign of disease but I’ve also never dealt with something like Ich or Velvet before.

Thank you!

A video might tell us more... we can assess its respiration rate then, but if it isn't actively swimming, we won't be able to rule some issues out.

I don't see any evidence of external disease in your photo though.

 

[WeekendShepherd]

Is breathing shallow or normal? Additionally if it swims, is it struggling or hard to stay bouyant?

Breathing seems shallow, I can see it’s mouth moving. He seems to struggle, like he’s getting blown by the wave makers, but he has enough energy when he is startled, he hopped into the back chamber when I initially put him into the box.

 

[WeekendShepherd]

A video might tell us more... we can assess its respiration rate then, but if it isn't actively swimming, we won't be able to rule some issues out.

I don't see any evidence of external disease in your photo though.

I will post one when I get home (if he’s still alive ). It seemed shallow to me, I could see his mouth and gills moving but not rapidly.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Breathing seems shallow, I can see it’s mouth moving. He seems to struggle, like he’s getting blown by the wave makers, but he has enough energy when he is startled, he hopped into the back chamber when I initially put him into the box.

fISH IS WEAK AND OFTEN A SIGN OF LETHARGY, OFTEN NOT GOOD SIGN

 

[WeekendShepherd]

A video might tell us more... we can assess its respiration rate then, but if it isn't actively swimming, we won't be able to rule some issues out.

I don't see any evidence of external disease in your photo though.

Here is the video of his breathing, he is keeping his mouth open. I also noticed that his tail fin is torn, so I wonder if it is bullying from my Exquisite. You can kind of see it in this second picture, he has been keeping his tail clamped so I only just noticed it.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Here is the video of his breathing, he is keeping his mouth open. I also noticed that his tail fin is torn, so I wonder if it is bullying from my Exquisite. You can kind of see it in this second picture, he has been keeping his tail clamped so I only just noticed it.

I agree, it is breathing fast, but it’s eyes are tracking well, so it isn’t yet moribund (actively dying).

I can see some generalized issue on its skin - I can’t tell if it is skin damage of just its stress coloration.