Wrasse is belly up, literally.

[Peter Rozenberg]

Hi everyone,

I have a Lubbock's multicolor fairy wrasse. I bought it from my LFS, two weeks ago this Friday. They had it for about a week before me. It are and swam around. I saw it eat before I bought it. I put it in my quarantine tank since I brought it home. The first week it was doing fine, swimming and eating, then suddenly it went upside down and it cannot right itself. Since then I've not seen it eat much but I would assume for a wrasse it should be eating something for it to still be alive today. I have noticed that it is not swimming, just upside and "floating" around. the last two mornings I figured it was dead laying at the bottom of the tank so I put the net in and it immediately swam away. I have attached some pictures as best I could get.

Water parameters are zeros on ammonia and nitrites, and maybe 10 on nitrates, I checked just before posting. It is a 20 gallon tank with a bowl of sand and live rock. the only medicine I have used is prazipro, and it is on its second round. I have not seen any thing come off between the freshwater dip and the prazipro. I keep thinking it'll be dead at any moment, but it's always alive, even if barely.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

I’m wondering if he’s having a swimbladder issue. I think you can try pure USP Epsom salts for this, I can’t remember the dosage though but someone will chime in I’m sure. I also believe about two weeks is the time frame for this to occur due to collection issues with the fish. I’m not sure though so let’s let someone give their opinion.
@ngoodermuth youve seen this before haven’t you?
@eatbreakfast
@Big G

 

[UncleSalty]

@Humblefish

 

[UncleSalty]

@4FordFamily

 

[4FordFamily]

This looks and sounds like a spinal injury. Unfortunately there’s not much you can do. Epsom salt of one TBSP per 5 gallons can help with the swelling to follow but most don’t make it. If it can eat you may be OK but usually it worsens until the fish lies on the bottom for days or even weeks and either dies or suddenly starts swimming eratically and slowly recovering.

This injury happens when they are startled and dart in to the glass, rock, or most commonly, tight-fitting hard lids.

Swimbladder infections usually leave a fish overly bouyant where it has to try hard to swim down from the top and floats when it doesn’t move.

 

[ngoodermuth]

I have seen this... unfortunately I don’t have good news. The survival rate is dismal, and the wrasse pictured looks like his stomach is already noticeably pinched. He’s likely used all his energy trying to right himself, and not eating...

You can try to dose epsom salt, 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons. It should be pharmaceutical grade, no additives.

 

[Reefpuck]

I've had the same issue and the fairy wrasse ended up living a few weeks like that...but eventually it gets to the point where it can't grab the food...even in a QT with little flow. Best of luck and hopefully it recovers.

 

[4FordFamily]

This looks and sounds like a spinal injury. Unfortunately there’s not much you can do. Epsom salt of one TBSP per 5 gallons can help with the swelling to follow but most don’t make it. If it can eat you may be OK but usually it worsens until the fish lies on the bottom for days or even weeks and either dies or suddenly starts swimming eratically and slowly recovering.

This injury happens when they are startled and dart in to the glass, rock, or most commonly, tight-fitting hard lids.

Swimbladder infections usually leave a fish overly bouyant where it has to try hard to swim down from the top and floats when it doesn’t move.