Fairy Wrasse lethargic

Grissino · May 25, 2016

I have a "Supermale" Naoko's fairy wrasse who has been sick for over a week now. I found him lying on the sand bed looking puny. I removed him and praziproed him but he's still sick. He lies around most of the day but he usually eats and will swim around for extended periods (30 minutes at a time) of time throughout the day. When he's down he will sometimes roll over as if he's about to die. This morning he's up and swimming around.

I don't know what to do. Anyone have any idea on what this might be or how to fix it?

4FordFamily · May 25, 2016

Pics? Close up?

What are your water parameters, tank size, tankmates, and how long has this tank been set up?

Grissino · May 25, 2016

Thanks for the response. Parameters are perfect for NO3, PO4, calc, mag, and alk (I don't measure anything else but do a 10% weekly water change). Tank size is 60 gallon cube and it has been set up nearly a year and a half.

No big changes with the tank. He's been in there for a few months and his tank mates are male flame wrasse, male Katos Fairy Wrasse, and male Lineatus wrasse who are all model citizens.

4FordFamily · May 25, 2016

Grissino said:
Thanks for the response. Parameters are perfect for NO3, PO4, calc, mag, and alk (I don't measure anything else but do a 10% weekly water change). Tank size is 60 gallon cube and it has been set up nearly a year and a half.

No big changes with the tank. He's been in there for a few months and his tank mates are male flame wrasse, male Katos Fairy Wrasse, and male Lineatus wrasse who are all model citizens.

It could be a bad case of flukes that has caused infection or deteriorated state. Do you treat all new wrasse with two treatments of prazi, 5-7 days apart?

Humblefish · May 25, 2016

When he "rolls over as if he's about to die" is he breathing heavy? What you are describing could be normal wrasse behavior.

eatbreakfast · May 25, 2016

No, that behavior isn't normal for a fairy wrasse. He should always be swimming unless it's nightime and it is holed up in the rockwork.

Injury and parasites would be the top causes of fairy wrasse lethargy.