Large Established Fairy Wrasse Suddenly Hiding

[Nick James]

I have a pink margin fairy wrasse, a large male who is the boss of my 220g at the moment.

I’ve had no recent fish additions for 4 months. This morning I couldn’t find him. I eventually found him tucked at the bottom of my rock structure.

When I fed, he came out but doesn’t appear to be swimming properly. His rear caudal fin or “tail” doesn’t appear to be utilized. He ate a few bites and retreated to his hiding spot. I saw no signs of damage or disease on him but his swimming seems off.

This tank has been setup for 9 months roughly. He has been in it for about 6. Other occupants are a leopard wrasse, 2” Lubbock's Wrasse, 2” exquisite wrasse, male and female brachiosaurus blennies and a rainfords goby.

I read an account which sounded identical and the wrasse died.

Any thoughts?

 

[Nick James]

@Humblefish @melypr1985
@evolved

 

[Greenstreet.1]

Sounds like he may of damage himself against something.

 

[Nick James]

I took a video of him swimming when I just fed but when I uploaded to YouTube the video quality became too poor to help..

It looks like his balance is off. I was given advice to catch him and treat with furan. I have to find some hopefully in the morning. I hope he is still ok by then..

 

[Nick James]

Sounds like he may of damage himself against something.

That would probably be a best case scenario because he would hopefully recover on his own.

I’m not sure if a bristleworm sting would cause this type of issue but was something else I was wondering about.

 

[Greenstreet.1]

That would probably be a best case scenario because he would hopefully recover on his own.

I’m not sure if a bristleworm sting would cause this type of issue but was something else I was wondering about.

I don’t have experience with bristle worm sting as my wrasses usually eat them before they get the chance to sting them.

 

[cmcoker]

He could have boltd/jumped and have a spinal injury.
I dont think I would pull him for meds just yet.

@eatbreakfast

 

[Nick James]

He could have boltd/jumped and have a spinal injury.
I dont think I would pull him for meds just yet.

@eatbreakfast

He does come out when food hits the water. None of the other fish pester him at all.

 

[Maacc]

Just keep feeding him he should recover on his own. I have had a male exquisite disappear for 3 weeks and a royal flasher disappear for almost 4. Both came back to very near normal.

 

[cmcoker]

He does come out when food hits the water. None of the other fish pester him at all.

I had a mccoskers wrasse go down the overflow. I had stopped the return pump, and when I turned it back on I heard a splash in the sump. Found him in the filter sock. He was not using his caudal fin when I returned him to the tank. He still ate, no bullying, and was back to normal in a few days.

since your fish is eating, I would not try to remove him, just observe and if he gets worse then take action.

 

[Nick James]

I pulled my beloved “Pinky” today.. still alive but seems to have tail rot... didn’t show until today. Luckily I got him cornered and I have him in Genercal Cure at the moment. It’s all I had available at the moment.