Help Wrasse Not doing so great

Matt F · Nov 23, 2018

So I just bought this wrasse earlier today and once I got home and started to acclimate him. He didn’t move for a while came back 30 mins later and he was on his side but I was going to scoop it up and he started to move again. I left him and then put him into the take in a holder for right now to make sure he will be ok I have tried feeding him he wouldn’t eat so I don’t know what else to do heres a picture and a video.

Matt F · Nov 23, 2018

I can’t get the video in but he is like this then when I come close he starts swimming again

rkpetersen · Nov 23, 2018

First, welcome to R2R. Now, how long did you acclimate? What SG was the fish at before and now? How was it acting in the store? Wrasses can be fairly sensitive. I'd turn down the lights until tomorrow, and then not try feeding while it's in an enclosed space like that. Are you going to release it into a quarantine tank or a regular display tank? If a DT, what's in there now? Quarantining is always a good idea.

Matt F · Nov 23, 2018

Thanks I acclimated him for around 1 hour give or take. What is SG? He was swimming around perfect at the store and it is going straight into the DT there is a joke gang around 3 inch 2 black clown fish and a long nose hawk fish

Billldg · Nov 23, 2018

Agree with above, how did you acclimate and what is the salinity of the water it originally was kept and what salinity did you acclimate to?

I keep my tank at 1.026, but now QT my fish starting the salinity at 1.020 as that is where most fish stores keep it at.

Matt F · Nov 23, 2018

I messaged my lfs and he said that I should take it out of the basket I had it in the DT so I did and now it is just laying down on some rocks

Matt F · Nov 23, 2018

rkpetersen · Nov 23, 2018

Matt F said:
Thanks I acclimated him for around 1 hour give or take. What is SG? He was swimming around perfect at the store and it is going straight into the DT there is a joke gang around 3 inch 2 black clown fish and a long nose hawk fish

SG is specific gravity, typically around 1.025, or a bit lower for fish-only systems. An hour is a reasonable acclimation time if the SG change wasn't too great between the store and your tank.

The fish looks ok there. Is it breathing hard? If not, and if the other fish don't hassle it and it doesn't contract a disease, it may do ok.

Matt F · Nov 23, 2018

Ok so my SG is 1.025-1.026 and the fish is breathing a little fast

Matt F · Nov 23, 2018

Thanks rkpetersen

Gareth elliott · Nov 23, 2018

Wrasse can be a bit shy, skittish, or sluggish when just added. If not breathing heavily or showing any signs of illness, try turning the lights off or at least significantly dimmed for a day or 2.

cancun · Nov 23, 2018

Matt F said:
Ok so my SG is 1.025-1.026 and the fish is breathing a little fast

Hi there! What salinity does your LFS keep their fish in? For example if they keep their salinity at 1.020 and you keep yours at 1.025 a hour drip might not be enough.....

Jesterrace · Nov 23, 2018

Flasher Wrasses can be delicate shippers. As mentioned it would help if we knew the difference in salinity between your tank and your LFS'. It may also have disease, without QT it's hard to know what it has.

Matt F · Nov 23, 2018

I do not know what the LFS keeps there salinity at

Jesterrace · Nov 23, 2018

Matt F said:
I do not know what the LFS keeps there salinity at

Can you call them and ask?

Scurvy · Nov 23, 2018

He swimming okay when he does move? Not struggling to stay upright or control buoyancy?
Give him some time.

cancun · Nov 23, 2018

Matt F said:
I do not know what the LFS keeps there salinity at

Yea I would call them and ask? This is from my personal experience from yrs ago, always check the salinity of the new fish right when you get them home. I personally only buy fish from LFS who keep salinity at 1.025.....but of your LFS is low it will affect how you acclimate the fish.

4FordFamily · Nov 23, 2018

Salinity is important, as mentioned. Wrasse don’t ship well and they stress easily. Once established they can be very hardy but that first few weeks can be tough.

CindyKz · Nov 23, 2018

Wrasses can be drama queens. If I were you I would double check my salinity, temp and ammonia one last time. If all are appropriate (meaning 1.025-6 SG, temp 78-80, and 0 ammonia) , shut off the light, walk out of the room, and don't look again until tomorrow morning at the earliest. Everything else you do tonight will stress him more.

If leaving the room isn't possible (like he's in your living room) you could try shading the tank with a towel. Just make sure your air circulation is still ok. Don't be upset if he hides and doesn't eat for a couple days.