Swim Bladder issue Royal Flasher Wrasse

[drawman]

I just came home from Europe yesterday and noticed my Royal Flasher Wrasse is swimming somewhat eratically (I guess he has been doing this for the past day or two. To me it looks like it's a swim bladder issue and I want to get on with treating it right away. He isn't buoyant at the water line but rather hanging out on the bottom. It basically looks like he can only use his Pectoral fins and somewhat his Dorsal fins.

I haven't noticed any external signs of bacterial/parasitic infection and I have had him for several months. When I quarantined I did not treat with anything (antibiotic, prazi-pro).

I'm thinking I should quarantine and treat. Would it be best to treat for a bacterial infection or parasite infection (worms) or both? Any recommendation on antibiotics? I saw in one thread they used Furan-2...

 

[Humblefish]

Are you see a bulge or "bubble" near his swim bladder area? It will look like the first photo here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/venting-a-swim-bladder-black-cap-basslet.219954/

 

[melypr1985]

I'm wondering if you have a hard top on the tank or a wood canopy. If it's not a bladder issue then it sounds like an injury to the spine is possible

 

[drawman]

Are you see a bulge or "bubble" near his swim bladder area? It will look like the first photo here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/venting-a-swim-bladder-black-cap-basslet.219954/

He may be bulging a little but certainly it doesn't appear as excessive as the black cap basslet. Now that I've had some time to observe him I'll see him alternate from being stationary at the bottom, swimming around uncoordinated, or at the top vertically with head up and tail down.

I'm wondering if you have a hard top on the tank or a wood canopy. If it's not a bladder issue then it sounds like an injury to the spine is possible

So this is a pretty shallow tank with a mesh screen top. It's certainly possible that he hit the mesh hard as it's pretty taut.

 

[melypr1985]

So this is a pretty shallow tank with a mesh screen top. It's certainly possible that he hit the mesh hard as it's pretty taut.

a mesh top shouldn't have hurt him badly enough to break his spine. Maybe he got hurt in another way? Or it could be an internal infection effecting his movement and balance?

 

[drawman]

a mesh top shouldn't have hurt him badly enough to break his spine. Maybe he got hurt in another way? Or it could be an internal infection effecting his movement and balance?

Yeah I guess it's hard for me to tell at this point. I can try to go broad spectrum and try to treat for everything (bacterial infection, worm infection, intestinal blockage). I just bought some frozen peas (for intestinal blockage), erythromycin, and prazi-pro. I'm thinking about dosing the whole tank in prazipro as I only have 2 clowns and the wrasse. Then if that doesn't improve I can always quarantine and go with the erythromycin.

I will try to post a picture of him. I don't see any significant external signs (bloating/infection/etc).

Thoughts?

 

[melypr1985]

I will try to post a picture of him.

a picture might help

 

[drawman]

a picture might help

http://s299.photobucket.com/user/timjernberg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_1.jpeg.html][/URL]

 

[Humblefish]

Let's invite the wrasse experts into this thread for their input @evolved @eatbreakfast

Because I'm not seeing/hearing anything so far that leads me to believe a disease is in play.

 

[eatbreakfast]

It sounds like a spinal injury to me. Sinking tail and only using it's pectoral fins for swimming are the tell-tale signs. It usually happens if the fish gets startled or excited and either jumps or darts quickly away. It may have hit a rock or even the sides of the tank.

There is not much that can be done for treatment except keep it well fed, the water clean, and minimize stress. In some cases it will heal and the fish will return to normal, sometimes it won't, it all depends on the severity of the injury.

 

[drawman]

It sounds like a spinal injury to me. Sinking tail and only using it's pectoral fins for swimming are the tell-tale signs. It usually happens if the fish gets startled or excited and either jumps or darts quickly away. It may have hit a rock or even the sides of the tank.

There is not much that can be done for treatment except keep it well fed, the water clean, and minimize stress. In some cases it will heal and the fish will return to normal, sometimes it won't, it all depends on the severity of the injury.

I appreciate all the help everyone.

Yeah that sucks to hear but it makes sense because of how quickly it occurred to an otherwise seemingly healthy fish. I will keep an eye on him for any other physical signs. He still is able to sleep on the bottom of the tank and I will keep him well fed.

I was thinking of treating the tank with prazipro to hedge my bets. If I dosed the DT then I wouldn't have to risk injuring the wrasse more by moving him. The tank is devoid of inverts/worms so I'm not worried about losing anything else from it. I guess the only downsides I can see are potential appetite suppression with the wrasse and taking a hit with water quality if I take my skimmer offline (I would ramp up water changes of course). What do you guys think? If it's not worth it then I will wait and watch for now.

 

[4FordFamily]

It sounds like a spinal injury to me. Sinking tail and only using it's pectoral fins for swimming are the tell-tale signs. It usually happens if the fish gets startled or excited and either jumps or darts quickly away. It may have hit a rock or even the sides of the tank.

There is not much that can be done for treatment except keep it well fed, the water clean, and minimize stress. In some cases it will heal and the fish will return to normal, sometimes it won't, it all depends on the severity of the injury.

X2 I've seen this twice. I'm voting spinal injury as well. Neither ended up favorably for me but that doesn't mean we can't pull for you and cross our fingers!

 

[4FordFamily]

I appreciate all the help everyone.

Yeah that sucks to hear but it makes sense because of how quickly it occurred to an otherwise seemingly healthy fish. I will keep an eye on him for any other physical signs. He still is able to sleep on the bottom of the tank and I will keep him well fed.

I was thinking of treating the tank with prazipro to hedge my bets. If I dosed the DT then I wouldn't have to risk injuring the wrasse more by moving him. The tank is devoid of inverts/worms so I'm not worried about losing anything else from it. I guess the only downsides I can see are potential appetite suppression with the wrasse and taking a hit with water quality if I take my skimmer offline (I would ramp up water changes of course). What do you guys think? If it's not worth it then I will wait and watch for now.

I personally wouldn't do it. Not because prazi is dangerous or not reef safe (it's even safe for worms in my personal experience by and large) but because adding another potential stressor just doesn't seem like the best course of action. What you describe is textbook spinal injury to me, I would follow eatbreakfast's advice as closely as possible for your best chances.

 

[evolved]

It sounds like a spinal injury to me. Sinking tail and only using it's pectoral fins for swimming are the tell-tale signs. It usually happens if the fish gets startled or excited and either jumps or darts quickly away. It may have hit a rock or even the sides of the tank.

There is not much that can be done for treatment except keep it well fed, the water clean, and minimize stress. In some cases it will heal and the fish will return to normal, sometimes it won't, it all depends on the severity of the injury.

X3 on that.

I don't see much issue with using prazi, but I also don't see it making any difference I'm afraid.

 

[Humblefish]

I wouldn't use any medications in this instance. Just let it ride and see what happens. That's all you can do sometimes. Place the wrasse in an acclimation box if his swimming becomes too erratic.

 

[drawman]

Thanks for all the help everyone I will keep this thread updated with his progress. I will keep him well fed and water quality stellar to make it as easy as I can on him. It's been great to see everyone so helpful and responsive for me on this I do appreciate it!

 

[drawman]

Wrasse is still touch and go I would say. He is eating some has strong orientation problems and lays on the bottom for a good portion of the time I see him.

 

[melypr1985]

The fact that he's still eating is a good thing at least.

 

[drawman]

Well unfortunately I have bad news. I found the wrasse dead this morning. He started to go downhill yesterday so I'm not at all surprised. I appreciate everyone's help and I guess I'm glad he died quickly so he didn't have to suffer too much.

 

[Humblefish]

:(:(:(