Possible problem with new naoko fairy wrasse

[Newb_reefer1]

Ok so this guy came in looking very very stressed yesterday I was afraid he wouldn't survive, however after going through normal acclimation process and going into the display tank he looked ok. I say ok because health wise after being in the tank overnight it doesn't seem like he's on his "death bed" his breathing is normal not heavy however I have noticed some strange things while observing him throughout the day yesterday and into the morning today. He dosent swim like any of my other wrasses it's very hard for me to explain it using words so I have made a video of it so you guys could see exactly what I'm talking about. But before the video I want to post these pictures..

He clearly dosent look good at all in these pictures and this is what is baffling me, whenever I see any fish laying upside down on the sand I think death is Imminent. Wrong, in the case of my naoko it seems like he does it for fun.. I first saw him laying like this and freaked out thinking he was going to be a goner and to my avail this video was taken 5 mins after the pics above. You can see how wierd the naoko swims compared to the pink margin that I got on the same day and was very curious about this abnormal behavior and wanted to post this to see if anyone has come across similar problems and what to do if anything can even be done ? This isn't the first time he's done this either, he'll lay on the sand not moving and upside down and a few minutes later I'll see him swimming around the tank it's very strange to me.

Naoko fairy wrasse swimming funny - YouTube

 

[Aquaph8]

He does seem to have some boyancy issues, doesn't look good, my best guess would be swim bladder. Keep us posted, that rubrimarginatus looks awesome though.

 

[jackson6745]

My naoko never swam like that. Something is very wrong with that fish. Unless he's eating like a pig, I'd say he's a goner. If you get him to recover we can all learn from it.

 

[Newb_reefer1]

Took this picture literally seconds ago this guy has really got my blood pumping he looks perfectly normal and then out of no where he'll lay upside down on the sand not moving scaring the crap out of me just to right himself back up and swim around for a little very wierd never seen anything like it...

 

[Newb_reefer1]

He does seem to have some boyancy issues, doesn't look good, my best guess would be swim bladder. Keep us posted, that rubrimarginatus looks awesome though.

That was my first thought, had to be something with his swim blatter he didn't seem to swim normal at all. Is there anything I can or should try to do for him ? I have the acclimation box on standby if need be I could catch him and put him in there so he dosent have to battle the current. But I did this the other day when I first noticed him do it and he layed upside down in the acclimation box aswell so I just released him back into the aquarium the way I see it there's more places for him to hide from the current in the live rock than the box

 

[Aquaph8]

I've never been able to do anything about it, I've heard you can't treat it with erythromycin but I don't have any experience.

 

[Newb_reefer1]

Hmm craziest thing just happened I got back from dinner to find the pink margin that was swimming around and eating frozen all day had died out of no where no signs of stress or anything just up and died while the naoko is still alive and seems to be swimming better now. not sure what happened to the poor pink margin rip buddie you will be missed

 

[Marshall O]

Sorry to hear that. I have lost plenty of fish that seemed perfectly healthy one day, gone the next. Hoping the Naoko's pulls through for you. I have seen Wrasses do as you describe, lying on the sandbed and then swimming around, and I have never had one survive unfortunately. They are saving their energy lying down from what I can tell.

 

[Newb_reefer1]

Sorry to hear that. I have lost plenty of fish that seemed perfectly healthy one day, gone the next. Hoping the Naoko's pulls through for you. I have seen Wrasses do as you describe, lying on the sandbed and then swimming around, and I have never had one survive unfortunately. They are saving their energy lying down from what I can tell.

Thanks for the kind words, he's still alive and seems to be doing better haven't put him back into the display yet but he seems to be swimming a lot more normally now than he was haven't seen him lay down like that for a while now hopefully he can recover in the acclimation box for another day or two and well give the display another go. He is eating frozen in the box and seems to be doing a lot better I have high hopes for him hopefully he will pull through

 

[fishroomlady]

I hope he pulls through for you! sorry about the loss of the your other fish.

 

[Marshall O]

Thanks for the kind words, he's still alive and seems to be doing better haven't put him back into the display yet but he seems to be swimming a lot more normally now than he was haven't seen him lay down like that for a while now hopefully he can recover in the acclimation box for another day or two and well give the display another go. He is eating frozen in the box and seems to be doing a lot better I have high hopes for him hopefully he will pull through

Sounds like a good plan. Try and feed 2-3 times a day if possible, smaller amounts. If his health improves, I would still consider leaving him for an extra few days until he looks normal. Otherwise you may find other Wrasses chasing him into the rockwork sensing he is sick.

 

[footballdude2k3]

Glad to hear he is doing better! I have a Hoeven's wrasse that just went into my tank this past week, I have seen him swim for maybe 5 minutes in 3 days, the rest of the time he is under a rock or hiding. I have read all over that it is normal behavior for them, maybe the Naoko just needs some time to get used to the new surroundings.

 

[Aquaph8]

I'm kinda wondering what happened to the pink margin. Could the naoko have been fighting with him? Kinda wondering if the funny swimming could have been caused by aggression?

 

[Newb_reefer1]

I'm kinda wondering what happened to the pink margin. Could the naoko have been fighting with him? Kinda wondering if the funny swimming could have been caused by aggression?

You would think so with the naoko but I never saw any display of aggression and the pink margin died while the naoko was in the acclimation box so I don't know what could have happened to him

 

[Marshall O]

Glad to hear he is doing better! I have a Hoeven's wrasse that just went into my tank this past week, I have seen him swim for maybe 5 minutes in 3 days, the rest of the time he is under a rock or hiding. I have read all over that it is normal behavior for them, maybe the Naoko just needs some time to get used to the new surroundings.

FYI, assuming you are talking about Halichoeres melanurus, they sleep in the sandbed (so hopefully you have an appropriate one for it!). It is quite common for them to be go into the sand upon being introduced. Usually they will slowly come out more and more during the day. Fairy wrasses meanwhile do sleep and hide in the rockwork.

 

[Newb_reefer1]

Update on the naoko, he survived through the night again today and ate a little bit in the box this morning, not noticing signs of abnormal swimming anymore it looks like he's gained his equilibrium back aswell. He's fairly active inside the box which I assume is a good sign. No doubts this little trooper will make it

 

[fishroomlady]

great news!

 

[Newb_reefer1]

Great news indeed ! After watching how active he was in the box I couldn't stand keeping him in there I let him back into the display tank a few hours ago and all is well no signs of unbalanced swimming anymore and he has improved 1000 fold since I posted this thread. He is currently in the open swimming around looking happy as can be with all his other wrasse buddies. Long live the naoko fairy !

 

[evolved]

Ah, now seeing how this story turned out (I responded to your earlier post in the wrasse lover's thread), what you've experienced/seen here was a swim bladder bruised in transit, which is often recoverable.

The rubrimarginatus is more of mystery, however.

 

[nitro'sreef]

I see you have a lot of aiptasia you should take care of that my 2 cents :brick: