Old Melanarus

DJF · May 10, 2022

I’ve got a melanarus wrasse that has been with me for 5+ years and was already an adult when I acquired him. He is full grown and was the largest wrasse in the reef with zero issues with all the tank mates- no new fish in quite some time. He recently took to burying for days on end only appearing for brief glimpses 2x in the last 4 weeks. When he emerges- he seems out of sorts off bumping into things. After seeing him today I watched where he buried today and I removed him from the tank and put him in another set up where there are less fish (a couple chromis) - he quickly buried again and we will see if he re-emerges. It is a younger system with a lot less natural food. I haven’t observed him eating. I did throw food into the tank when I saw him today but he didn’t respond. He didn’t look to be in terrible condition (pale but to be expected). Is there anything else I can do to make him more comfortable? Did I mess up moving him into a younger system?

Goaway · May 10, 2022

That's a long time to keep one. Congrats on the 5 years of success. I hope you get some answers for added comfort for him.

vetteguy53081 · May 10, 2022

May be unfamiliar territory or chamges in water conditions. Allow 48-72 hrs to settle in. It should start eating in a couple of days IF water quality is acceptable.
Assure proper salinity and water temp (that matched previous tank) and that ammonia or nitrate hasnt spiked

MnFish1 · May 10, 2022

DJF said:
I’ve got a melanarus wrasse that has been with me for 5+ years and was already an adult when I acquired him. He is full grown and was the largest wrasse in the reef with zero issues with all the tank mates- no new fish in quite some time. He recently took to burying for days on end only appearing for brief glimpses 2x in the last 4 weeks. When he emerges- he seems out of sorts off bumping into things. After seeing him today I watched where he buried today and I removed him from the tank and put him in another set up where there are less fish (a couple chromis) - he quickly buried again and we will see if he re-emerges. It is a younger system with a lot less natural food. I haven’t observed him eating. I did throw food into the tank when I saw him today but he didn’t respond. He didn’t look to be in terrible condition (pale but to be expected). Is there anything else I can do to make him more comfortable? Did I mess up moving him into a younger system?

these wrasses live between 4-10 years. It could very well be 'old age'

Jay Hemdal · May 10, 2022

DJF said:
I’ve got a melanarus wrasse that has been with me for 5+ years and was already an adult when I acquired him. He is full grown and was the largest wrasse in the reef with zero issues with all the tank mates- no new fish in quite some time. He recently took to burying for days on end only appearing for brief glimpses 2x in the last 4 weeks. When he emerges- he seems out of sorts off bumping into things. After seeing him today I watched where he buried today and I removed him from the tank and put him in another set up where there are less fish (a couple chromis) - he quickly buried again and we will see if he re-emerges. It is a younger system with a lot less natural food. I haven’t observed him eating. I did throw food into the tank when I saw him today but he didn’t respond. He didn’t look to be in terrible condition (pale but to be expected). Is there anything else I can do to make him more comfortable? Did I mess up moving him into a younger system?

Since he was showing symptoms prior to the move, I don't think that is a prime issue.

Can you tell if the fish can see? Maybe post a short video of it swimming?

jay

DJF · May 10, 2022

Thanks team- I’ve been watching his new tank but he is burrowed and it’s difficult to say when he’ll resurface. It was over a week since I saw him before this morning. He was definitely swimming a little clunky the times I saw him and we are talking less than a minute before he goes back into the sand. I think it could be his eyesight as he doesn’t hunt and peck at the rock but did run into a couple rocks (wasn’t sure if he just surfaced to grab some quick food so I rushed to grab some while he was out) I had on my list to look for cloudy eyes but didn’t get a good look mainly bc the food focus and then just adrenaline & concern- he was much easier to grab out of the sand than I would’ve liked but glad I was able to just in case I have a closeted bully. I will do my best to get a vid but don’t want to disturb him unless you recommend. He has some nice clean sand and there are no added critters in there (which might be bad if he passes). Hoping tomorrow he feels safe enough to reappear and stay out a while. Will post a vid if that’s the case; I’ve been looking for photos of him in his prime; he has the coolest orange stripes that curl up like an old timey mustache. I have tons of coral pics but of course none of him

DJF · May 12, 2022

Saw him laying on the sand barely covered so I did a “bed check” and he’s alive- while I checked I got this pic (eyes appear cloudy). Need to know the most humane way to proceed.

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DJF · May 13, 2022

Bump- took this video of his breathing. He’s safe resting in that tank and won’t be bothered. I don’t mind him living out his days naturally but do not want him to be in pain and need to understand how to proceed.

(vid not working) - a breath about every second- not super fast. Coloration is still vibrant, tail a little damaged but not major, cloudy eyes but no sign of ich or other parasite

NanoJHB · May 13, 2022

Sorry to hear about your wrasse. As for his condition I'm not knowledgeable enough to comment if it warrants euthanasia or not, I feel that's a call you need to make.

If so the most humane way to do it is to place it in a tub with tank water and place said tub in the freezer. I've read about the clove oil method but I've personally used the freezer before.

All the best

MnFish1 · May 13, 2022

DJF said:
Bump- took this video of his breathing. He’s safe resting in that tank and won’t be bothered. I don’t mind him living out his days naturally but do not want him to be in pain and need to understand how to proceed.

(vid not working) - a breath about every second- not super fast. Coloration is still vibrant, tail a little damaged but not major, cloudy eyes but no sign of ich or other parasite

I think thats best. And sorry things are working out that way. I guess one thing would be - if he is not breathing fast or showing distress - probably not suffereng. EDIT. PS - I. meant letting nature take its course seems the best route.

Goaway · May 13, 2022

What is the most humane way to euthanase aquarium fish?

The term euthanasia comes from the Greek language meaning a good death (eu = good, thanatos = death).

kb.rspca.org.au

MnFish1 · May 13, 2022

NanoJHB said:
Sorry to hear about your wrasse. As for his condition I'm not knowledgeable enough to comment if it warrants euthanasia or not, I feel that's a call you need to make.

If so the most humane way to do it is to place it in a tub with tank water and place said tub in the freezer. I've read about the clove oil method but I've personally used the freezer before.

All the best

As @Mibu stated - this was a preferred method in the past - but its no longer recommended. I'm not entirely sure 'why'. I have used the 'stunning method' as discussed in the article followed by freezing. But I was never comfortable doing either. The odd thing is - think of the old fashioned 'creels' that people used to just toss fish into where they died.

Goaway · May 13, 2022

In our reef or ocean. Sickly fish, they drift off into anemones. Nems seem to paralyze fish. Not all are equal in venom.

I'll leave the rest out.

NanoJHB · May 13, 2022

MnFish1 said:
As @Mibu stated - this was a preferred method in the past - but its no longer recommended. I'm not entirely sure 'why'. I have used the 'stunning method' as discussed in the article followed by freezing. But I was never comfortable doing either. The odd thing is - think of the old fashioned 'creels' that people used to just toss fish into where they died.

Thank you for the info

DJF · May 13, 2022

Ok thank you good information. I’ll try to get some pellets next to him and hopefully he’ll eat. No nems in the tank (thankfully).

Goaway · May 13, 2022

I'm with @MnFish1 . I'd let nature play it's course.

DJF · May 13, 2022

Definitely will. Just didn’t want to be selfish. Found some pics I’m posting here so I can revisit him in his prime. Thanks for all the help!

2017

2020- swimming with the homies

MnFish1 · May 13, 2022

DJF said:
Definitely will. Just didn’t want to be selfish. Found some pics I’m posting here so I can revisit him in his prime. Thanks for all the help!

2017

2020- swimming with the homies

Beautiful tank and fish