Lubbock's Wrasse unable to swim properly

[Susan Edwards]

I just got a Lubbocks wrasse from LA just over a week ago. He and the others were good in the qt tank. Have an egg crate top covered with plastic gutter mesh. He started having trouble swimming--swimming almost upright/up and down and upside down and rolling over and over. I have a hob and a powerhead (37 gal). It manages to get to less flow areas but doesn't stay there.

Is eating pretty good most of the time even with difficulty swimming. Has to be in area with food and not in a spin to get it. I just now fed and it was able to zip after some pieces even after getting back into a spin. It gets caught in current and takes a bit to straighten out. Can get to the pvc tubes for shelter.

I made a box out of gutter mesh and put him in it but he just froze and laid on the bottom. Took him back out and put him back in qt

I'm having to really over feed the rest of the fish just to be sure this little guy gets a bit or 2.

The only thing I've seen to maybe match his symptoms is spine issues. I got him on the 13th and noticed this after a couple days. Maybe a bit earlier and just thought it liked to be facing into the water flow. Not sure if injured in shipping, or here. Or what to do to give it more of a chance.

 

[Big G]

I have one in QT right now. I leave off the powerhead until I'm done with copper. I have a foam bubble filter in the tank to help with O2.

 

[Susan Edwards]

should I use an air stone along with the aqua clear hob? and shut the powerhead off? Mostly using it to generate surface agitation. Have 6 fish in qt.

 

[Big G]

The surface agitation can be accomplished with the foam bubble filter. Plus you get additional filtration. Here's a pic of my setup:

 

[Susan Edwards]

My main concern is what to do about this poor fish. I added a second air stone. Will hook up an air pump before bed. And turn back on the PH once all fish are bedded down. I'll also remove some water tomorrow so the filter splashes the surface a bit more.

 

[Big G]

What are you feeding him? They have pretty small mouths and like really small food. I feed mine cyclops as part of my fish smoothie. He'll swim right by most of the bigger pieces and pic out the cyclops.

 

[tdileo]

I’m going to go ahead and say swim bladder issue. It may not be, but it’s not unlikely either. I have the exact same symptoms you are talking about, except on my supermale lineatus who also started experiencing them about a week in. He has been like this for over a week now with no improvement and no longer eats. I will be crushed to lose such an expensive fish...

 

[Susan Edwards]

What can be done if it is swim bladder issues? During the day I'll stop the power head and go with air stones to give him a bit of a break. At night I'll turn on the powerheads to help with flow and getting debris to the hob inlet. I'll also try doing some target feeding. He's gotten very thin. He's so pretty I hate to lose him.

Is there any meds I should be trying? The other 5 fish (2 clowns, McCoskers, Blue head, Ruby Head) are all doing good. Should I maybe put the clowns in the display--only been in qt just over a week--to ease the stress on the qt tank? The clowns are prob. 3 " ea. I think they have such thick slime coats they might be all right? I just want to be sure all my wrasses make it... the display has a yellow tail damsel and a gold head sleeper goby

 

[tdileo]

What can be done if it is swim bladder issues? During the day I'll stop the power head and go with air stones to give him a bit of a break. At night I'll turn on the powerheads to help with flow and getting debris to the hob inlet. I'll also try doing some target feeding. He's gotten very thin. He's so pretty I hate to lose him.

Is there any meds I should be trying? The other 5 fish (2 clowns, McCoskers, Blue head, Ruby Head) are all doing good. Should I maybe put the clowns in the display--only been in qt just over a week--to ease the stress on the qt tank? The clowns are prob. 3 " ea. I think they have such thick slime coats they might be all right? I just want to be sure all my wrasses make it... the display has a yellow tail damsel and a gold head sleeper goby

I believe there is no known cure for swim bladder disorder. I searched for many hours. I’ve tried literally everything except using a needle to pierce the swim bladder and release air, assuming that’s what it is. To be honest, that step is not too far away for me. Normally I would not go to such extents for a fish but when it’s a $300 one that has a death sentence without the small chance that works, you kind of become willing to try anything. I’ve always bought cheaper fish and the one time I fall in love with an expensive fish, something like this pops up. If you are able to cure it please let me know, and if I can do so I will inform you.

 

[eatbreakfast]

If the back half of the fish is bouyant and wants to go up, it is a swim bladder infection. If the back half of the fish sinks and it is using it's pectorals to swim, it is a spinal injury.

There are a few options of treatment with a swim bladder infection. Pinning the gas bubble and treating with antibiotics can help. For a spinal injury there isn't much that can be done.

 

[Susan Edwards]

I'm assuming spinal then as it is with bottom down trying to swim or get around. Just turned off the power and turned on 2 battery air stones. I'll hook up my air pump and also planned on a water change so will not fill all the way so the spill of the hob filter ripples the surface. Tonight I'll put the PH back on. Guess I'll call LA and see if I can get a credit. Hasn't been 14 days but not looking good...