Fairy Wrasse Swimming Odd?

[dfults]

A couple of days ago I received a lubbocks fairy wrasse that I purchased online. Ever since I received the fish it has swam kind of at an upward angle with it's tail pointed down. At first I though it was just stress from shipping, but after reading through some forums it sounds like it could be some kind of spinal issue which appears to more common in fairy wrasses in particular. I am not sure if I am overthinking it or if there really is something wrong so I took a couple of videos hoping someone could help out. It is still very skittish, so I have been trying to stay away from the tank for the past couple of days, but obviously I had to get close to take the videos. So, you can see it darting around a little in the videos. Which the fact it is still capable of darting around the tank kind of leads to me to believe I am overthinking it. Also, just wanted to mention that the fish was sold to me as quarantined and I fully understand the risk of putting it directly in my DT.

 

[vetteguy53081]

A couple of days ago I received a lubbocks fairy wrasse that I purchased online. Ever since I received the fish it has swam kind of at an upward angle with it's tail pointed down. At first I though it was just stress from shipping, but after reading through some forums it sounds like it could be some kind of spinal issue which appears to more common in fairy wrasses in particular. I am not sure if I am overthinking it or if there really is something wrong so I took a couple of videos hoping someone could help out. It is still very skittish, so I have been trying to stay away from the tank for the past couple of days, but obviously I had to get close to take the videos. So, you can see it darting around a little in the videos. Which the fact it is still capable of darting around the tank kind of leads to me to believe I am overthinking it. Also, just wanted to mention that the fish was sold to me as quarantined and I fully understand the risk of putting it directly in my DT.

This fish is thin and seems to be distressed which can be from shipping/netting or a neurological issue known as UNWD which shows neurological symptoms where it either cannot swim well, swims tail down or swims with a bent spine and despite all this, the wrasse will still attempt to feed and display no damage such as crashing into objects. Other could be depending where fish is from, cyanide capture which is delayed but the fish ends up in this state

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

A couple of days ago I received a lubbocks fairy wrasse that I purchased online. Ever since I received the fish it has swam kind of at an upward angle with it's tail pointed down. At first I though it was just stress from shipping, but after reading through some forums it sounds like it could be some kind of spinal issue which appears to more common in fairy wrasses in particular. I am not sure if I am overthinking it or if there really is something wrong so I took a couple of videos hoping someone could help out. It is still very skittish, so I have been trying to stay away from the tank for the past couple of days, but obviously I had to get close to take the videos. So, you can see it darting around a little in the videos. Which the fact it is still capable of darting around the tank kind of leads to me to believe I am overthinking it. Also, just wanted to mention that the fish was sold to me as quarantined and I fully understand the risk of putting it directly in my DT.

It does look like UNWD. Is it still trying to eat? If so, that would confirm it.

Here is a post I made about this issue:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/unknown-neurological-wrasse-disease-unwd.901856/

 

[Tcook]

They shouldn’t have shipped that fish. I would contact the seller.

 

[dfults]

It does look like UNWD. Is it still trying to eat? If so, that would confirm it.

Here is a post I made about this issue:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/unknown-neurological-wrasse-disease-unwd.901856/

I have witnessed it eat a couple mysis at each feeding. It definitely looks like it struggles to get to the food any only really goes for the ones that float right past it. Thank you for sending the link, that helps a lot. Is UNWD something that could have developed during shipping or is it more likely something the fish has always had?

 

[dfults]

They shouldn’t have shipped that fish. I would contact the seller.

Thanks for the advice. I was planning on contacting the seller, but wanted to confirm here that there was actually something worth contacting about. Sounds like I will be reaching out.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I have witnessed it eat a couple mysis at each feeding. It definitely looks like it struggles to get to the food any only really goes for the ones that float right past it. Thank you for sending the link, that helps a lot. Is UNWD something that could have developed during shipping or is it more likely something the fish has always had?

Nobody knows, but there are lots of guesses. It generally shows up in newly imported wrasses, after being sold to retail customers. Wholesalers don’t see it, not sure if retail stores see it, I guess it depends on how long they hold the fish. Funny thing, I didn’t start seeing cases of this until about 10 or 15 years ago.