I was moving my juvi red coris wrasse into a different tank (have had him for a year) and I dropped him from about 4 feet. Then he thrashed around to the back of my stand. It took me about 15 seconds to get to him. I decided to just put him in the tank without any acclimation because I didn't want to stress him out more. I put him in and it looked like his back was arched and he also couldn't dive into the sand. Now, he is resting against the rock and breathing heavily. It turned off the light in the hope that he would relax.
At this point, I have no idea if it has a broken back or is just stunned. After all, he was pulled out of the sand, dropped on to the floor, and thrown into a new tank. Also, this fish is SUPER shy. He has never stayed out of the sand for more than a few hours per day in the morning. I am going to wait it out and see if he improves. I am so upset because it is only now that I am seeing the adult blue spots starting to emerge on this special fish. Please let me know if you have had any similar experience or tips. Thanks!
At this point, I have no idea if it has a broken back or is just stunned. After all, he was pulled out of the sand, dropped on to the floor, and thrown into a new tank. Also, this fish is SUPER shy. He has never stayed out of the sand for more than a few hours per day in the morning. I am going to wait it out and see if he improves. I am so upset because it is only now that I am seeing the adult blue spots starting to emerge on this special fish. Please let me know if you have had any similar experience or tips. Thanks!