New Pintail Wrasse Not Eating

[Pau Hana Reefer]

I had a pintail wrasse arrive on Saturday and currently in an observation tank. It has not eaten since arriving and I’m getting worried about how slim it looks.

The wrasse was shipped with a tang. UPS decided to admire the Next Day Air shipment for an extra 24 hours. Both fish arrived heavily stressed/in-shock. The tang bounced back within 12 hours and has been eating well. Video and some more details in the last three posts of my build thread -
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/pau-hana-reefers-90-gallon-mixed-reef.631578/post-13486574.

The wrasse has been sleeping and resting most of the time. Curled up against the air stone sponge and in the corner. It barely moved for the first 24 hours. I added a wave pump last night and it started moving around a bit more… but almost seems to be wandering around aimlessly.

Tried feeding again just now and seemed interested at first, but then seemed to start wandering around aimlessly again. It did grab and eat one pencil-point-sized mysis. The nothing else. Both fish were fed frozen mysis and brine during the vendor’s quarantine process. I’ve only tried feeding so far.

No visual signs of any infections, injuries, or illnesses. No medication in the observation tank. Ph 8, salinity 1.025, temp at 77 degrees.

I’m about to try feeding other options I have on hand… premium flakes, premium pellets, and reef frenzy. Also debating if I should try getting some live pods.

What else can I try?

 

[Marinus]

Just throwing out a few ideas. Does the fish have any shelter? Some pvc or rocks to hide in? Do you have your lights dimmed or off?

 

[Marinus]

Live pods aren't cheap but I wouldn't see any harm in trying them.

 

[Uncle99]

I had a pintail wrasse arrive on Saturday and currently in an observation tank. It has not eaten since arriving and I’m getting worried about how slim it looks.

The wrasse was shipped with a tang. UPS decided to admire the Next Day Air shipment for an extra 24 hours. Both fish arrived heavily stressed/in-shock. The tang bounced back within 12 hours and has been eating well. Video and some more details in the last three posts of my build thread -
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/pau-hana-reefers-90-gallon-mixed-reef.631578/post-13486574.

The wrasse has been sleeping and resting most of the time. Curled up against the air stone sponge and in the corner. It barely moved for the first 24 hours. I added a wave pump last night and it started moving around a bit more… but almost seems to be wandering around aimlessly.

Tried feeding again just now and seemed interested at first, but then seemed to start wandering around aimlessly again. It did grab and eat one pencil-point-sized mysis. The nothing else. Both fish were fed frozen mysis and brine during the vendor’s quarantine process. I’ve only tried feeding so far.

No visual signs of any infections, injuries, or illnesses. No medication in the observation tank. Ph 8, salinity 1.025, temp at 77 degrees.

I’m about to try feeding other options I have on hand… premium flakes, premium pellets, and reef frenzy. Also debating if I should try getting some live pods.

What else can I try?

Feeding usually starts with 1 or 2 bites.
I just give him 2 more days.

 

[Pau Hana Reefer]

Just throwing out a few ideas. Does the fish have any shelter? Some pvc or rocks to hide in? Do you have your lights dimmed or off?

I have 2 large pvc pipes in there. Also added a container of sand but it just lies next to it.

Lights were off for the first 24 hours. Turned on for 8 hours yesterday and was planning the same today, but can turn them back off.

Live pods aren't cheap but I wouldn't see any harm in trying them.

Yeah, the only reason I’m even considering this is bc of the particle-sized mysis that he went after. I figured if he doesn’t get eat it, I have a yellow coris wrasse who would love some pods.

 

[Pau Hana Reefer]

Feeding usually starts with 1 or 2 bites.
I just give him 2 more days.

This is good to know…. Fingers crossed. I was very hopeful went it appeared he was chasing the food and grabbed that one piece. But grew concerned again when he stopped after that.

 

[Marinus]

I hope your fish will be ok and start eating soon. If it's convenient to get some pods I would probably get some.

 

[Pau Hana Reefer]

I hope your fish will be ok and start eating soon. If it's convenient to get some pods I would probably get some.

Thank you. I’m looking into options since my LFS doesn’t open until Wednesday.

 

[Marinus]

That's too bad, any second option lfs?

 

[Pau Hana Reefer]

Great news, the wrasse just ate a decent amount of mysis. It’s also acting more wrasse-like and starting to show some of its personality.

 

[Marinus]

I'm really happy to hear your wrasse is doing better :)

 

[DaJMasta]

I do think smaller cover is helpful, they tend to go into smaller holes and that's definitely the preference for sleeping. If it's eating well and acting normal, you're probably out of the woods, but it may be helpful to black out portions of the side panels too - just being able to see people around can be unsettling for a new fish, so being able to fully break line of sight is helpful.

 

[Pau Hana Reefer]

Sadly, the wrasse did not make it. It peaked on Tuesday evening into Wednesday. It then started exhibiting signs of still being stressed. Barely ate yesterday… was alive this morning and just found it dead. All it’s scales fell off as well.

The tang in the same tank is fine. Possible some lymphocystis on one fin, but no other signs of illness and distress.

Not sure if I’m missing any other possible signs and wondering if this is still a result of shipping stress/shock.