Flasher Wrasse in QT not doing well at all

[Nem0]

I've had a flasher wrasse in QT for about 2 weeks. Before now, he was doing 100% fine. Swimming a ton and eating. Within the past 4 hours, he's just lying on the bottom of the tank not really moving. Not eating either. QT only has copper at 2.0ppm. Parameters are: temp 78*, PH 8.0, 0 ammonia (test kit and ammonia alert on yellow), 20 nitrate. Physically, he looks fine. Not as bright colored as usual, but no heavy breathing, indicators of ich or velvet, etc. Ideas? Never seen him like this and don't want to lose a fish

There's also a midas in QT with him, midas is doing fine

 

[melanotaenia]

Flasher Wrasse do not generally do well with copper treatments.

 

[Nem0]

Flasher Wrasse do not generally do well with copper treatments.

I heard that, but he's been in copper for 2 weeks with no problems til now

 

[Idoc]

Maybe a big water change to get the copper reduced quickly to see if he bounces back. Or, if you have another tank for quarantine to transfer him to without copper and see how things go.

 

[melanotaenia]

I heard that, but he's been in copper for 2 weeks with no problems til now

Get him out of the tank if you can and into a tank without copper; flasher wrasse generally do better in QT observation without medicating.

 

[Nem0]

Maybe a big water change to get the copper reduced quickly to see if he bounces back. Or, if you have another tank for quarantine to transfer him to without copper and see how things go.

Get him out of the tank if you can and into a tank without copper; flasher wrasse generally do better in QT observation without medicating.

I have a small invert only QT tank (only a fighting conch rn) that I could put him into. would that work?

 

[code4]

I would give the invert tank a try. Good luck.

 

[Idoc]

I have a small invert only QT tank (only a fighting conch rn) that I could put him into. would that work?

I'd give it a try... just match salinity and temp.

 

[Nem0]

I would give the invert tank a try. Good luck.

I'd give it a try... just match salinity and temp.

Forgot to mention, Ill have a bunch of new CUC coming from reefcleaners that I'm also putting in the invert QT...still okay to go ahead with plan of transfering wrasse from copper QT to invert QT?

sorry for all the questions, just want as much info as possible to help the wrasse!

 

[bluprntguy]

Putting a fish in an invert quarantine tank resets the clock on when you can move those inverts to the display. Once the fish goes in, he could potentially carry something into the QT tank. The reverse is also true. If you’ve put any inverts into the invert tank recently, they could potentially be infected. Putting your wrasse (that just went through copper) in there would potentially expose him to disease.

IMO, you’d be better off putting the wrasse in a clean aquarium. You can use a bucket for a day or two if you don’t have another tank. All you really need is a heater and air stone or filter. Break down the quarantine tank he was in, sterilize it and dry it, then move him back in. If he made it two weeks in copper, he should have a clean bill of health.

 

[Idoc]

Well, it will mess up your invert quarantine protocol and put the wrasse at risk of picking up something from the inverts... but probably a low chance of that.

Or, you could mix up a fresh batch of saltwater and do a big water change in your fish quarantine tank to get as much copper out of there as possible... again, making salinity and temp of current water.

 

[code4]

Your choice which avenue you go. Bottom line is get him out of the copper. And for sure match parameters as closely as you can. Luck to you.

 

[Nem0]

Update: put the wrasse in a bucket (same parameters) with a weak return pump to move the water around. No real improvements. Still lying on the bottom of the bucket not really mobile

 

[Nem0]

Ideas? 6 hours later no change in condition ...

 

[code4]

Wish I knew. Hoping for the best for the little guy.