Leopard wrasse in a bucket for 36 hours

Dburr1014 · Nov 29, 2019

Pray for his survival
I was taking all my sand out Wednesday for cleaning and going to dump it back in my tank. A feat more than I anticipated. I was 2/3 done, it was late, so I stopped for the night. 1/2 the sand cleaned in 1 bucket and a couple pounds in another in another bucket ready for rinse sitting in the basement. Thanksgiving came and went and today I get up to finish my task. I started with the uncleaned sand. I filled it with warm tap water, swished it around and dumped it. Started to fill it again and swished it around and saw a flash of blue and pink spots.... Oh no, could it be? Yup, the fish was left in the bucket. I was sure I was working around him cuz I know they like to dig. So in my fear, I dumped the water carefully and fished him out and rushed him to the tank. It's swimming and darting about. He found a spot to chill and breath for a bit. Right now he moved and I think he's buried in what and I need to finish. Guess I need to not do that now until he's up and about.
I really hope he's fine...

don_chuwish · Nov 30, 2019

Yikes, amazing he's doing so well. Sounds like a good chance he'll be OK.

Cfellini91 · Nov 30, 2019

That sounds like a nightmare. I’m intrigued to hear any updates on how he’s doing!
can you tell me more by any chance about the process andbenefits to cleaning the sand? I’ve read a few things on the danger of it and I’m my curiosity is peaked.Feel free to PM me of you’re up to shedding some insight.

sfin52 · Nov 30, 2019

Man that's sucks. I'm surprised you got it the bucket. Usually when you go and scoop up the sand they dart out. Hope it's ok

mfinn · Nov 30, 2019

How is he doing today?

sfin52 · Nov 30, 2019

Hows it doing today

Dburr1014 · Nov 30, 2019

Happy to report that today he is out and swimming around like nothing happened.
Thanks for your support. Yesterday I thought he was a goner.

Dempsey941 · Nov 30, 2019

The wrasse is probably thinking “what the crud man just trying to sleep in my sand and you scoop me out and try to tumble me like some backyard rock”

S.Pepper · Nov 30, 2019

Dburr1014 said:
Happy to report that today he is out and swimming around like nothing happened.
Thanks for your support. Yesterday I thought he was a goner.

Awesome!

Jesterrace · Dec 1, 2019

Dburr1014 said:
Happy to report that today he is out and swimming around like nothing happened.
Thanks for your support. Yesterday I thought he was a goner.

That's a beautiful Blue Star you have there, mine has proven super hardy as well which is great given their delicate nature. Picking the right individual goes a long way with these fish though.