Flukes?

Jesse Depass · Oct 8, 2020

My Melanurus wrasse keeps flashing against the rocks and sand, none of my other fish are doing this and I just got done treating for flukes with prazipro. Is it possible it still has flukes? I under dosed the prazipro a bit, do you think that could be why? I’ve also heard this could be some type of hunting response. Any advice or knowledge helps. Thanks

Jay Hemdal · Oct 8, 2020

Wrasses may grab at the substrate looking for food, but flashing on rocks, etc is more of a sign of parasites. How many times did you dose with prazi and how long ago? How much did you under dose?
Jay

Jesse Depass · Oct 8, 2020

Jay Hemdal said:
Wrasses may grab at the substrate looking for food, but flashing on rocks, etc is more of a sign of parasites. How many times did you dose with prazi and how long ago? How much did you under dose?
Jay

I did the first dose 2 weeks ago and a second dose 6 days later. I dosed for about 80 gallons and my system is around 100. Also this evening I noticed one flash that scraped off a fluke from its body. I’m thinking that means I didn’t kill them?

Jay Hemdal · Oct 8, 2020

I don’t suppose you can catch the wrasse for a FW dip? That would confirm the flukes and buy you some time. If not, you can try a third prazi dose at full strength. One fluke, Neobenedenia is pretty tough and difficult to manage with prazi (I use hyposalinity)
Jay

vetteguy53081 · Oct 8, 2020

I call it wrasse behavior. rarely have had a wrasse that doesnt itch or twitch. A fish trap would be useful for trapping and freshwater dip as Jay suggested. With FW dip, flukes will look like sesame seeds when they fall off and you can them confirm tyour question if it is flukes.

Jesse Depass · Oct 8, 2020

I can’t catch it with a net, so I could order a trap and fw dip it or should I just dose a full dose of prazipro since I have it on hand?

Jay Hemdal · Oct 9, 2020

That you actually saw something scraped off the fish while it was flashing is interesting -

Does the fish still feed well? Did the flashing ever let up after a treatment, or has it been more or less constant. Does the flashing stop for some time after you feed it? (the idea there is if the behavior is normal hunting, it won't happen when the fish is full).

Jay

Jesse Depass · Oct 9, 2020

Jay Hemdal said:
That you actually saw something scraped off the fish while it was flashing is interesting -

Does the fish still feed well? Did the flashing ever let up after a treatment, or has it been more or less constant. Does the flashing stop for some time after you feed it? (the idea there is if the behavior is normal hunting, it won't happen when the fish is full).

Jay

It does feed well, during the whole two weeks of treatment I didn’t see any flashing until two days ago After I did a big water change and turned my carbon and skimmer back on. I’ll pay attention to if the flashing stops for a while after he eats this morning

Jay Hemdal · Oct 9, 2020

Oh - that time frame changes things a bit! Watch it carefully today, for flashing and food consumption. The fact that you didn't see this behavior until 2 days ago pretty much rules out it being "normal" for that fish. Remember, there are other issues that can cause flashing; notably external protozoan infections, so watch for ich spots, cloudy eyes, cloudy fins, etc.

Jay

Jesse Depass · Oct 9, 2020

Jay Hemdal said:
Oh - that time frame changes things a bit! Watch it carefully today, for flashing and food consumption. The fact that you didn't see this behavior until 2 days ago pretty much rules out it being "normal" for that fish. Remember, there are other issues that can cause flashing; notably external protozoan infections, so watch for ich spots, cloudy eyes, cloudy fins, etc.

Jay

Okay I will. Thanks for all your help