*FLAME WRASSE QT ISSUES* urgent

[Jlobes]

hey all.

woke up today to find the flame wrasse not doing so hot...super lethargic and not his normal self. Been doing TTM with flame and labouti since thurs 17th, with no real issues. Have not used Prazi.
today flame is looking terrible. I have posted pics to give/get some input...hoping @Humblefish or @Reefwise or @melypr1985 might have some input. Just did a transfer into a new tank incase that was the issue, havent checked/tested the ammonia in "old" tank yet. But I have been doing AM&PM WC, of about 3G and making sure to get all the waste out. checked ammonia yesterday was 0.

im freaking out a bit but trying to stay composed. i have prazi, kanaplex on hand...

thanks for the helps

 

[Humblefish]

Some of those spots on him look like they could be flukes. I would perform a FW dip to confirm (see below). This will also provide temporary relief just in case brook or velvet is in play, so I think it's a necessary first step no matter what.

Freshwater Dip: Provides temporary relief for Brooklynella, Flukes, Marine Velvet disease (Amyloodinium); possibly even Ich & Uronema marinum (both unproven). Can be used to confirm the presence of Flukes.

How To Treat - Fill a bucket with RODI water, and use a heater to match the temperature to the water the fish is coming from. Aerate the water heavily for at least 30 minutes prior to doing the dip, then discontinue aeration while performing the dip. Fish aren’t overly pH sensitive for short durations like this, but you can squirt a little tank water into the dip just before the fish goes in to help bring it up.

Place the fish in the freshwater (FW) dip and observe closely. It is not unusual for them to freak out a little at first. Also, tangs are notorious for “playing dead” during a FW dip. The important thing is to watch their gills; they should be breathing heavily at all times during the dip. If breathing slows, it’s time to exit the dip. Dip the fish for no longer than 5 minutes. Multiple dips may be done, but it’s important to give your fish a day to recuperate in-between dips.

For flukes, use a dark (preferably black) bucket so you can see if tiny white worms fall out of the fish (especially out of the gills) at around the 3-4 minute mark. The worms will settle to the bottom, so you can use a flashlight to look for them there as well.

Pros - Provides temporary relief for a wide range of diseases in a chemical free environment. Can “buy you more time” until a proper treatment can be done.

Cons/Side Effects - Not a permanent “fix” for any disease, as FW dips are not potent enough to eradicate all of the parasites/worms afflicting the fish. Some fish can have an adverse reaction to a FW dip by appearing unable to maintain their equilibrium once returned to the aquarium. If this happens, hold the fish upright (using latex, nitrile or rubber gloves), and gently glide him through the water (to get saltwater flowing through the gills again). It is also a good idea to place the fish in an acclimation box until he appears “normal”.

 

[Jlobes]

should I add prazi to the new tank?

 

[Humblefish]

should I add prazi to the new tank?

You can, but if he is loaded with flukes Prazi will likely kill him. Prazi causes flukes to spasm and dislodge from the fish, so all those spasms occurring simultaneous is a bad thing. Doing a FW dip causes some of them to drop off (without the spasms), so what you are left with is a fish with flukes at manageable numbers. So then Prazi can do the rest.

 

[Jlobes]

You can, but if he is loaded with flukes Prazi will likely kill him. Prazi causes flukes to spasm and dislodge from the fish, so all those spasms occurring simultaneous is a bad thing. Doing a FW dip causes enough of them to drop off to manageable levels, so Prazi can do the rest.

OK. getting the FW dip ready now. aerating the rodi currently. Im going to perform the dip in a small white bucket, its the smallest I have so it will be ready fastest... but will transfer over to a dark to inspect for flukes after dip.

 

[Humblefish]

OK. getting the FW dip ready now. aerating the rodi currently. Im going to perform the dip in a small white bucket, its the smallest I have so it will be ready fastest... but will transfer over to a dark to inspect for flukes after dip.

If no flukes show up, I would consider either an acriflavine or formalin bath before the next transfer. Or possibly even abandoning TTM altogether in favor of copper or CP. Is he breathing heavy at all?

 

[ZoaCollector]

His fins look beat up, was he shipped this way?

Or was he purchased at a store LFS?

I would try kanaplex if its internal, meaning not eating or lethargic.

 

[Salt Creep]

Following along. I lost a flame and 2 Lubbock wrasses recently within days of acclimation. Hope it works out better for you.

 

[Jlobes]

was purchased online and shipped, I received on 3/17

He has been eating fine, it seemed. A bit more picky than the labouti but eating. hes been swimming and doing fine for days, just today is lethargic and odd.

@Humblefish TTM would be finished in the next few days anyhow. I generally treat with prazi on transfer 2 and 4, but with the two fish in the 10G, wanted to keep ammonia in check and figured I would prazi in observation QT after TTm. I was just getting the observation QT all set up today in anticipation for that...

 

[Humblefish]

@Jlobes The reason I am suspecting flukes is the translucent-looking spots on his body (near the lateral line) in your pics.

 

[Jlobes]

for sure. i noticed the spots down his body and took pics immediately. im freaking out waiting for this water to be ready tho,...

 

[Jlobes]

not breathing too heavy, just sitting on bottom of tank, lethargic and uninterested. Will definitely need to treat the tank, as there is also labouti to be concerned about.

 

[Jlobes]

alright, temps match and water has been bubbling for bout 40 minutes. gonna do a quick FW dip and see how it goes.

@Humblefish when should I add prazi to qt? later today or tomorrow?

 

[Jlobes]

FW dip done. was in the FW for just over 4 minutes. back in QT, breathing heavy but alive.

didnt really see worms in the FW, but im not really sure what to look for..do they sink or float?

also, forgot to mention, I did notice a bit of a stringy white poop from him yesterday at feeding time...but kinda spaced that this AM.

now just deciding if I should add prazi or kana or nothing....

 

[Duke4Life]

They sink typically, a flashlight might help since they're small and clearish.

 

[Jlobes]

got a flashlight and looking fairly well, but ill keep at it for another few just to make sure

hes back in the QT but not happy. breathing super heavy and floppy...

 

[Duke4Life]

Think it's time to go the route Humblefish mentioned above then. I hate diseases.

 

[Humblefish]

I did notice a bit of a stringy white poop from him yesterday at feeding time...

^^This is a symptom of intestinal worms. Wish you had told me this sooner. But treatment is the same, Prazipro.

 

[Humblefish]

I would probably give him time to recover from the FW dip before hitting the QT with Prazipro.

 

[Jlobes]

well upon further inspection, looks like there might be small white flecks in the bottom of bucket and maybe a floater. I did rinse the bucket before putting the dip in, but might not have been the "best" job...heres pics

@Humblefish I know, im sorry, totally spaced it in the madness this AM.