Diamond Flasher Wrasse (Deceased)

KyleC. · Feb 24, 2019

Well, it pains me to write this. I recently added this fish (02/18/19) Only previous known issue was the victim of another fish biting a chunk of the tail. Not serious, minor injury. This fish was treated by the trusted LFS with PP & Metro. I received it about 10 days after arriving at the LFS. Acclimated and added to DT. 40b that has been setup for 2 years, nothing added in 2-months, and all params in check. 6.6DKH, 400cal, 0, 0, 10. Amon/trite/trate. I have no other special fish. All fish are average 1yr, old. (Diamond Watchman/Yellow Clown Goby/& forktail blenny)

The Wrasse was displaying no abnormalities the first (02/19/19) & second day. It was eating food, (LRS/PE mysis soaked in selcon) that I normally feed once a day, when possible, twice. The third day, (02/21/19) I noticed that it was not exploring the entire tank, as it was normally doing the previous day, however, still came to feed. I could see him through the side, that he was still swimming normally, just in a small spot in and around the rockwork. This was typical for the following 3 days. I had a side job yesterday, I fed, and left for the day. Did not come home until tank was sleeping. Woke up this morning to him on the sand bed, breathing heavily, and a white blotch on his side, and the upper edge of his body was dark, which may have been normal as I cannot remember if it was when purchased. I immediately began to set-up my QT. He was keeping himself primarily upright, on the sandbed, and would swim very abruptly for a second then stop on the sand bed. Before my QT could get to temp, he had passed. Below are the pictures I took. From the little searching I did in this disease forum, I am attributing this to a bacterial issue (White blotch). I put the body into a FW dip to check for flukes, which there were none. I am concerned for my other fish, they have been around long enough. None are showing any signs of issues, and I have left my QT running in the event of an issue.

I do not need a lecture on my QT procedure, of this fish or lack there of. I am merely trying to get expert eyes on what has happened to make sure this does not happen again. My QT will remain in service indefinitely.

He did not show signs, no scratching/flashing just a minor(at the time) behavior change. Below are pictures I took before flushing.

KyleC. · Feb 24, 2019

After looking at the pictures, blown up, on the computer, it appears that maybe it did have flukes? Near the mouth and eye, in the first and second picture. I cannot believe that I did not notice this...

HotRocks · Feb 24, 2019

Wrasse are so sensitive. It's really hard to tell. The other thing with Wrasse is they are really good at harboring parasites without physical symptoms. So he could have been incurring gill damage that went unnoticed.

Flukes are a possibility, so is a bacterial issue.

Sorry to hear about your loss

Frtdrmrose7 · Feb 24, 2019

Yes that looks like it could’ve been flukes. Wrasses are able to hide these parasites really well as I’m dealing with two in QT right now that I suspect have Prazi resistant flukes. Rule of thumb though is wrasses always have something and should get a FW dip to check for flukes.

ngoodermuth · Feb 25, 2019

I’m sorry for your loss

that’s a tough one. Flukes are a definite possibility, I do see the white lesions which likely would be the real culprit... secondary infection.

You know if your LFS treats with two doses of prazi pro 5-7 days apart? See, this is why I don’t trust most fish stores that “treat” fish... they probably only did one dose and say it’s treated... then the eggs hatch and voila, fish has flukes.

FWIW, I have had very good luck with wrasses being treated prophylactically if you intend to QT your next incoming fish. Especially for flukes and intestinal worms, as those seem to be present on almost every wrasse I’ve bought over the last few years...