McCosker Flasher Wrasse Not Moving

[Brisk]

I just got this McCosker Flasher Wrasse. I temperature acclimated the fish and when I took it out of the bag into a bucket to drip acclimate, it noticed it has some tailfin damage and was laying on its side in the bucket. Once acclimated, I put him in an 10g observation tank and it is not moving, laying flat. I also noticed a clear string like film at the top of its fins. The 2nd video shows it started to move and just now, it is back to laying flat. Is this normal? What is wrong with the fish? What can I do? Thank you.





Aquarium Parameters:
Aquarium type - Reef
Aquarium water volume - 150g
How long has the aquarium been established? - 3 months

Water quality (be sure to indicate what measurement units you are using, as well as the test kit brand)
Temperature - 78F
pH - 8.2
Salinity / specific gravity - 1.026
Nitrate - .5
Phosphorus - .04

 

[vetteguy53081]

I just got this McCosker Flasher Wrasse. I temperature acclimated the fish and when I took it out of the bag into a bucket to drip acclimate, it noticed it has some tailfin damage and was laying on its side in the bucket. Once acclimated, I put him in an 10g observation tank and it is not moving, laying flat. I also noticed a clear string like film at the top of its fins. The 2nd video shows it started to move and just now, it is back to laying flat. Is this normal? What is wrong with the fish? What can I do? Thank you.





Aquarium Parameters:
Aquarium type - Reef
Aquarium water volume - 150g
How long has the aquarium been established? - 3 months

Water quality (be sure to indicate what measurement units you are using, as well as the test kit brand)
Temperature - 78F
pH - 8.2
Salinity / specific gravity - 1.026
Nitrate - .5
Phosphorus - .04

I see this as very typical of a new wrasse addition. Were the fins damaged at LFS?
Lower light to blue, at least overnite and offer this fish a deep bowl with some sand which it desires.
When acclimating, did you equalize/match the salinity of bag contents with that of the tank?

 

[Brisk]

I see this as very typical of a new wrasse addition. Were the fins damaged at LFS?
Lower light to blue, at least overnite and offer this fish a deep bowl with some sand which it desires.
When acclimating, did you equalize/match the salinity of bag contents with that of the tank?

I didn't notice it at the LFS. But also wasn't paying close attention. I noticed the fin damage when I took it out of the bag into a bucket. I drip acclimated it to match salinity of the tank. I'll put a bowl of sand with it and see what happens. Thank you.

 

[MnFish1]

I just got this McCosker Flasher Wrasse. I temperature acclimated the fish and when I took it out of the bag into a bucket to drip acclimate, it noticed it has some tailfin damage and was laying on its side in the bucket. Once acclimated, I put him in an 10g observation tank and it is not moving, laying flat. I also noticed a clear string like film at the top of its fins. The 2nd video shows it started to move and just now, it is back to laying flat. Is this normal? What is wrong with the fish? What can I do? Thank you.





Aquarium Parameters:
Aquarium type - Reef
Aquarium water volume - 150g
How long has the aquarium been established? - 3 months

Water quality (be sure to indicate what measurement units you are using, as well as the test kit brand)
Temperature - 78F
pH - 8.2
Salinity / specific gravity - 1.026
Nitrate - .5
Phosphorus - .04

I'm confused - and perhaps you've already answered - but are you saying that your QT tank is 3 months old and 150 gallons? Or is your QT tank different from that one. What is the ammonia. There can be a big problem with ammonia poisoning - depending on how long the fish was in the bag, as well as the pH of the bag when you received it - and how long you took to increase it. But - in any case, unless im totally misinterpreting - this is a new fish (not one you've had for 3 months)- and the lying flat may be a consequence of travel - or sometimes wrasses like a small container with sand - and as @vetteguy53081 said - wrasses often just 'hang out - sometimes even on their sides when new.. Are you using any medications? Do you have any more details? Do you know the salinity of the tank water in the shipping bag?

 

[Brisk]

I'm confused - and perhaps you've already answered - but are you saying that your QT tank is 3 months old and 150 gallons? Or is your QT tank different from that one. What is the ammonia. There can be a big problem with ammonia poisoning - depending on how long the fish was in the bag, as well as the pH of the bag when you received it - and how long you took to increase it. But - in any case, unless im totally misinterpreting - this is a new fish (not one you've had for 3 months)- and the lying flat may be a consequence of travel - or sometimes wrasses like a small container with sand - and as @vetteguy53081 said - wrasses often just 'hang out - sometimes even on their sides when new.. Are you using any medications? Do you have any more details? Do you know the salinity of the tank water in the shipping bag?

Sorry if I confused you. Main tank is about 3 - 4 months old. The QT tank I think I've had it up for about 2 months which I was using to observe a pair of Clownfishes. It is still using the same water. I picked up the fish from the LFS and started acclimating it an hour later. After 15 mins for temperature, I put the fish in a bucket with the bag water. The fish was already laying on its side in the bucket and that is when I noticed the tailfin damage too (see photos). I then drip acclimated till water doubled, emptied half the water, and repeated the process 3 more times. So far no medication. I'm not sure what medication to give except maybe Ruby Rally Pro?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Sorry if I confused you. Main tank is about 3 - 4 months old. The QT tank I think I've had it up for about 2 months which I was using to observe a pair of Clownfishes. It is still using the same water. I picked up the fish from the LFS and started acclimating it an hour later. After 15 mins for temperature, I put the fish in a bucket with the bag water. The fish was already laying on its side in the bucket and that is when I noticed the tailfin damage too (see photos). I then drip acclimated till water doubled, emptied half the water, and repeated the process 3 more times. So far no medication. I'm not sure what medication to give except maybe Ruby Rally Pro?

Do not medicate , at least yet and allow fish to settle in under lower light which I see you did. Do not use LFS water but change tomorrow- again, allow fish to settle in. Ruby will be fine after a small water cghange but I dont see this fish as sick versus stressed from new environment. Ammonia poisoning is doubtful as fish was not in a shipped bag and I believe your acclimation process is not off.
I see color improvement in fish and should be improved in the morning.
Relax and enjoy your fish

 

[Uncle99]

What was bag salinity versus observation tank salinity?
From higher to lower salinity is easier on the fish.
Even when dripping, the change is still fast.

 

[Brisk]

What was bag salinity versus observation tank salinity?
From higher to lower salinity is easier on the fish.
Even when dripping, the change is still fast.

I didn't check what the bag was, but after the 3 drip acclimation, I check the salinity to see if it matches tank water. If not, then I do another drip acclimation.

 

[UK-Reefer]

Poor guy is petrified and without much needed sand too.

Time needs to be given without external disturbances. It's got colour and will come round if he can settle first.

My two cents worth anyway.

 

[Uncle99]

I didn't check what the bag was, but after the 3 drip acclimation, I check the salinity to see if it matches tank water. If not, then I do another drip acclimation.

Not the match but the time spent in the match.
Some fish slow in adjusting respiration when moved into higher salinity, kinda look lethargic.

Mine all come in 1.027 water so going into 1.026 is just temp and drop.

So much easier IMM.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Sorry if I confused you. Main tank is about 3 - 4 months old. The QT tank I think I've had it up for about 2 months which I was using to observe a pair of Clownfishes. It is still using the same water. I picked up the fish from the LFS and started acclimating it an hour later. After 15 mins for temperature, I put the fish in a bucket with the bag water. The fish was already laying on its side in the bucket and that is when I noticed the tailfin damage too (see photos). I then drip acclimated till water doubled, emptied half the water, and repeated the process 3 more times. So far no medication. I'm not sure what medication to give except maybe Ruby Rally Pro?

I think it is just stressed out from the transport. Netting the fish often causes some damage.
Do you know the salinity of the LFS tank compared to yours?

 

[Brisk]

Not the match but the time spent in the match.
Some fish slow in adjusting respiration when moved into higher salinity, kinda look lethargic.

Mine all come in 1.027 water so acclimatization into 1.026 is just temp and drop.

So much easier for the hobbits IMM.

Gotcha. I guess I need to try the cup of water acclimation. Or maybe just let it sit in the drip acclimation longer?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Gotcha. I guess I need to try the cup of water acclimation. Or maybe just let it sit in the drip acclimation longer?

I’m not a fan of drip acclimation, people often don’t do it correctly. Here is an article I wrote on fish acclimation methods:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/acclimation-methods.903/
Jay

 

[Brisk]

I think it is just stressed out from the transport. Netting the fish often causes some damage.
Do you know the salinity of the LFS tank compared to yours?

I do not. I should of measured it or asked the LFS earlier. Lesson learned. It's a known LFS vendor here on R2R too. I searched the forum and some reports 1.026, some as low as 1.017.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I do not. I should have measured it or asked the LFS earlier. Lesson learned. It's a known LFS vendor here on R2R too. I searched the forum and some reports 1.026, some as low as 1.017.

We see a lot of issues with LFS keeping their tanks at low salinity, and nowadays home aquarists tend to run much higher. Fish don’t handle large rises well at all (they can handle drops much better).

 

[Brisk]

I’m not a fan of drip acclimation, people often don’t do it correctly. Here is an article I wrote on fish acclimation methods:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/acclimation-methods.903/
Jay

Thank you! I see your points. I'll try the other method next time.

 

[MnFish1]

Great - since you got it from an LFS - ammonia is not going to be the issue. However it is a lesson to think of if you get a fish shipped overnight. Additionally - always a good idea - as others have said - check the salinity at the LFS - or if shipped, the shipper:). Good luck with your fish. I had a harlequin tusk fish that literally swam from the bag to a rock in my display tank and laid. there on its side or 3 days (and was fine)

 

[vetteguy53081]

I didn't check what the bag was, but after the 3 drip acclimation, I check the salinity to see if it matches tank water. If not, then I do another drip acclimation.

Again, its typical stress and any changes will further stress this fish. As mentioned, it should look better in the morning and more active.

 

[Brisk]

Just an update - the fish did not make it.

 

[MnFish1]

Just an update - the fish did not make it.

Sorry to hear:( - sometimes when fish 'rest' its normal - other times is moribund status - which is unlikely to survive. Updates are always important - thanks