Melanarus Wrasse acting different

[NakiFantaki]

I picked up this beautiful wrasse 3 weeks ago to try and get rid of the flatworms I had in my tank. From the first day I added the fish, he did great - ate like a pig, placed nicely with other tank mates and adapted very nicely... he also ate all the flatworms in my display.
Now about 4 days ago I noticed he hasn’t been eating and he has been hiding out in a cave for most of the day. The flat worms are back in my display now because they are coming from the sump.. and he has not be eating them either.
The fish looks fine - no spots, eyes look good, no fin rot, breathing normally and still sleeping in the sand bed at night.
Need advice as to what my first plan of action should be. Wait it out? Freshwater bath? Set up my QT and treat with meds?

All water parameters are normal and I haven’t added any other fish since I added him. I have added some corals but they were all dipped in bayer. All other fish are doing fine as well.

Wondering what I should do about this flatworm problem as well, since the wrasse stopped eating them..

 

[HotRocks]

@4FordFamily, or @Humblefish may be able to help.

 

[Zack K]

@4FordFamily, or @Humblefish may be able to help.

@Maritimer and #reefsquad will contact the rest of the gang

 

[Crabs McJones]

Do you have any pictures of the fish, just in case? Also could you post your exact parameters?

 

[4FordFamily]

Pictures would be useful.

Internal parasites are my suspiscion but I’d like some photos.

Any white stringy poo?

Since the fish isn’t eating, we can’t soak his food in metroplex you’ll have to dose it in a qt.

 

[NakiFantaki]

I will snap some pics today when he’s up and about. I have a video from last night but can’t figure out how to post it here. No white stringy poop.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Sounds like stress. What other fish do you have

 

[NakiFantaki]

Someone also mentioned that some flatworms are toxic.. he’s for sure was eating them the last few weeks.. could he be poisoned?

 

[Big G]

Someone also mentioned that some flatworms are toxic.. he’s for sure was eating them the last few weeks.. could he be poisoned?

If you kill off a whole tank of flatworms with something like FlatwormX it can be a toxic event.

 

[TheEngineer]

Just for reference... here’s what white stringy poop looks like

 

[NakiFantaki]

 

[NakiFantaki]

Here’s some shots

 

[NakiFantaki]

 

[NakiFantaki]

I’ve noticed that every few minutes he opens his mouth very wide.. almost like a yawn? And it kind of looked like there was something jagged on the inside of his mouth.

 

[Big G]

every few minutes he opens his mouth very wide.. almost like a yawn

Yawning could be a sign of flukes along with the hiding, loss of appetite. A freshwater dip could reveal if flukes are the problem.
Here's Meredith's excellent explanation with video on how to manage a fw dip and what to look for. Highly recommend a dark colored, smooth container if possible for ID of fluke after the dip. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/video-how-to-do-a-freshwater-dip.286639/#post-3487082

 

[NakiFantaki]

I’ve noticed that every few minutes he opens his mouth very wide.. almost like a yawn? And it kind of looked like there was something jagged on the inside of his mouth.

 

[NakiFantaki]

Copy. I will try a freshwater dip tonight. Making some RODI now.

 

[4FordFamily]

Yawning could be a sign of flukes along with the hiding, loss of appetite. A freshwater dip could reveal if flukes are the problem.
Here's Meredith's excellent explanation with video on how to manage a fw dip and what to look for. Highly recommend a dark colored, smooth container if possible for ID of fluke after the dip. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/video-how-to-do-a-freshwater-dip.286639/#post-3487082

Agree. May well be flukes

 

[Maritimer]

Flukes is a good place to start, but that yawning behaviour has me wondering if he didn't take on a big bristleworm.

~Bruce

 

[NakiFantaki]

Flukes is a good place to start, but that yawning behaviour has me wondering if he didn't take on a big bristleworm.

~Bruce

I have never seen a bristleworm in my tank, but it’s possible. I started with dry rock, and I have dipped all coral.. I check at night for bristleworms by never see any.. but that’s not a bad theory at all.