Golden Rhomboid Wrasse not well

[reefluvrr]

Wondering if this fish can be saved. If so how? This only started presenting itself yesterday. Fish still eats food. I am wondering if it is a swim bladder issue. I only acquired this fish about 2 weeks ago.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Maritimer]

This doesn't look like a typical swimbladder issue to me (which would usually involve the fish trying to maintain depth by swimming downward, against buoyancy), but rather more like a possible spinal injury. Due to their swift movements and devil-may-care reactions to threats, fairy wrasses are prone to bashing into things - glass, canopies, corals, the surface . . .

Spinal injuries do sometimes recover - but sometimes they don't. I don't think there's much to be done, other than wait it out.

~Bruce, sad to see such an injury in a tank so full of beautiful, healthy, well-cared-for fish

 

[Keenan]

Agree. Looks like it might be a spinal injury of sorts.

 

[Humblefish]

^^ Agree with Bruce and @Keenan, that is a spinal injury

 

[reefluvrr]

fairy wrasses are prone to bashing into things - glass, canopies, corals, the surface . . .

Oh Turd, that makes sense. I was thinking to myself, how come it looks like the back tail looks paralyzed? I have an canopy top which it probably struck...
Thanks for your acute insight. Guess all I can do is hope for the best. Will let you all know how it turns out...

Thanks Bruce, Keenan, and Humble Fish!

 

[HotRocks]

Oh Turd, that makes sense. I was thinking to myself, how come it looks like the back tail looks paralyzed? I have an canopy top which it probably struck...
Thanks for your acute insight. Guess all I can do is hope for the best. Will let you all know how it turns out...

Thanks Bruce, Keenan, and Humble Fish!

These guys all know their stuff for sure! I'm a day late and a dollar short, I'd have to agree 100%, only because I have personally seen this on a radiant wrasse in a friend's tank! Which did eventually heal to the point that the fish could function. He had a funny curl when not moving around but other than that he was unaffected.

 

[Deinonych]

Looks like he is still able to feed, which is a good sign. You might consider replacing your glass top with a screen top, as wrasses are notorious for banging their heads on hard surfaces.

Beautiful fish. I hope he recovers.

 

[reefluvrr]

You might consider replacing your glass top with a screen top

I have the tank displayed in my office. I feel safer with a top to prevent any foreign object going into tank.

Thanks for suggestion though.

 

[Bob Weigant]

out of all my wrasses Ive had horrible luck with Rhomboids. Ive been threw 3. Always start out fine and then within a few months gone

 

[PGT253]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/rhomboid-swim-bladder.360250/

It's a spinal injury. I lost mine a couple days ago while in QT. He's been fine for almost 3 weeks when bam, out of the blue...

 

[reefluvrr]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/rhomboid-swim-bladder.360250/

It's a spinal injury. I lost mine a couple days ago while in QT. He's been fine for almost 3 weeks when bam, out of the blue...

Ohh man, this is not good news to see and hear. I am also worried it will get into some of my LPS...

 

[Humblefish]

@reefluvrr I would put him in an acclimation box.

 

[reefluvrr]

@reefluvrr I would put him in an acclimation box.

Will do!

 

[Highgrade]

I've experienced this same issue with 2 Rhomboids and a Lineatus. It didn't end well for mine. Wishing you the best.