Melanarus Wrasse in QT

[Jeight]

Had a new melanarus wrasse in QT for 2 weeks observation only. In the third week I found him laying on his side and struggling to breathe. Step one did a 50% water change step 2 dosed general cure because he had no visible spots, flukes, or disease I assumed it was internal. Added a large air stone and after 2 days of looking DOA he perked up. Just did the 2nd dose of GC will do a 50% water change after 48 hours and add charcoal back to filtration (hob filter). My question is what should be my next course of treatment? His poo was brown and normal but after his near death experience and the general cure its more white but not stringey. Was thinking a round of Parazipro but I would like someone else to weigh in here #reefsquad.

He literally laid sideways for 2 days breathing very slowly.. we have taken to calling him Wrazerus after coming back from the dead. He is really enjoying the airstone.

 

[dbl]

Sorry to hear of the troubles. Disease isn't my thing, but I'm hoping formthe best outcome for the Mel. They are great fish to keep.

 

[Big G]

Was the wrasse given a freshwater dip to check for flukes? Wrasses are well known as "fluke magnets" and the flukes are often attached to the gills, protected from med treatment by the fish's mucous coating in the gills.

 

[Jeight]

Sorry to hear of the troubles. Disease isn't my thing, but I'm hoping formthe best outcome for the Mel. They are great fish to keep.

Thank you very much he is indeed a beauty of fish and so very friendly...it was like a kick in the Jimmies when I saw him on his side like that

 

[sfin52]

@ngoodermuth @4FordFamily @HotRocks. You guys up to see who gets this first. With fish health you guys are the best.

 

[Jeight]

Was the wrasse given a freshwater dip to check for flukes? Wrasses are well known as "fluke magnets" and the flukes are often attached to the gills, protected from med treatment by the fish's mucous coating in the gills.

no he seemed way way to stressed to do a FW dip...if I missed that step then will do this after the GC is up in 24 hours or so...

 

[Lasse]

This is a fish that normally dig it self down in sand at night. IMO - you need sand with a thicknes of around 4 . 5 cm in a bucket (or over the whole aquarium) This fish do not go down slowly - they go down in a fast vertical dive and if the sand is too thin - - I´m sure they can hit the bottom the same way a jumping fish can hit a cover glass. Not saying that this have happen here - but is a thing to have in mind.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[ngoodermuth]

If you suspected internal parasites or infection, then FEEDING the medicine with food using seachem focus as a binder, is the treatment needed.

1-2 scoops GC per 1 scoop of focus and roughly a tablespoon of frozen food, thawed. Mix well (don’t add more than a drop or two of water or selcon to mix), let sit for 20-30 mins prior to feeding. Refrigerate leftovers, and only feed small amounts slowly so there is little waste.

Feed 2x/day for at least 10 days.

 

[Fudsey]

I agree that you must put some sand in a bowl around 2-3" deep that he can sleep in.

 

[4FordFamily]

If you suspected internal parasites or infection, then FEEDING the medicine with food using seachem focus as a binder, is the treatment needed.

1-2 scoops GC per 1 scoop of focus and roughly a tablespoon of frozen food, thawed. Mix well (don’t add more than a drop or two of water or selcon to mix), let sit for 20-30 mins prior to feeding. Refrigerate leftovers, and only feed small amounts slowly so there is little waste.

Feed 2x/day for at least 10 days.

I agree. Sand is a good idea. What you describe is actually somewhat normal in wrasse in the absence of sand, but to suddenly do so after a few weeks of normal behavior is possibly troublesome unless something has changed.

Ammonia is a common cause of “later” QT issues and something to keep an eye on with an ammonia alert badge.

 

[User]

If you suspected internal parasites or infection, then FEEDING the medicine with food using seachem focus as a binder, is the treatment needed.

1-2 scoops GC per 1 scoop of focus and roughly a tablespoon of frozen food, thawed. Mix well (don’t add more than a drop or two of water or selcon to mix), let sit for 20-30 mins prior to feeding. Refrigerate leftovers, and only feed small amounts slowly so there is little waste.

Feed 2x/day for at least 10 days.

Good recipe.

What surprised me was that 1 tablespoon of drained marine cuisine for example is like 8 cubes.

I mix up a batch and divide it into 32 portions- I used a 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon- then placed it on a split open gallon sandwich bag, fold the bag to seal then refreeze. When I need to feed, I just grab one frozen medicated fish paste nugget, thaw it and put it in the tank.

Depending on how many you need to feed for the fish in the QT one batch will last 16 days

 

[Lasse]

I agree. Sand is a good idea. What you describe is actually somewhat normal in wrasse in the absence of sand, but to suddenly do so after a few weeks of normal behavior is possibly troublesome unless something has changed.

Ammonia is a common cause of “later” QT issues and something to keep an eye on with an ammonia alert badge.

I can´t see thats she mention sand in that post :) But I did in mine:)

Sincerely Lasse

 

[4FordFamily]

I can´t see thats she mention sand in that post :) But I did in mine:)

Sincerely Lasse

Good catch. Thanks! :)

 

[Jeight]

will be getting some sand today to add to the QT tank..and unless I have a faulty ammonia badge ammonia was not the problem. I still have 24 more hours on the GC and 50% water change and will do a fresh water dip while I am doing the Partial water change. I see some people do a 30 min dip what opinions are out there on dip time?

 

[Lasse]

Good catch. Thanks! :)

As a guy from Gothenburg (we are known for fast tungs) I can't miss an open goal and to put a twist on the shout :) :) :)

Sincerely Lasse

 

[lapin]

In my QT tanks I have a short 3" high divider on the bottom. This way if I have a sand loving fish, I can fill just that portion with sand. When I do the TTM I dont waste a lot of sand.
While in QT my fish do get Metroplex with Focus. Then at day 7 and 14, Prazi Pro.

 

[4FordFamily]

As a guy from Gothenburg (we are known for fast tungs) I can't miss a open goal and to put a twist on the shout :) :) :)

Sincerely Lasse

Haha no problem, I get too lazy to quote multiple people or somehow separate after a quote that the rest of my reply may not be relevant to the quote :)

 

[ngoodermuth]

will be getting some sand today to add to the QT tank..and unless I have a faulty ammonia badge ammonia was not the problem. I still have 24 more hours on the GC and 50% water change and will do a fresh water dip while I am doing the Partial water change. I see some people do a 30 min dip what opinions are out there on dip time?

5-minute freshwater dip, here is a great video showing how it’s done: