Radiant Wrasse not doing well

[Tcook]

I received this good sized radiant from LA yesterday around 10 am. I didn't see anything obviously wrong with it on first inspection. Temp acclimated him and added 32 Oz tank water every 15 min x4. Then gave an aerated, temp matched, dechlorinated tap water bath for 3 minutes. Laying on his side at the end so into the 20 gal QT tank. He swam around then went under the rocks. Didn't see him until 5 pm tonight. Looked like he just came out of mucus cocoon and not moving. 15 min later laying on side. Thought he was dead until I netted him. Gave another freshwater bath for 1-2 minutes then back in the tank. Now on his side with a RR of about 85. Tip of the mouth looks a bit worn. Any ideas? I know I took a chance getting this type of wrasse from LA. @Jay Hemdal

 

[Tamberav]

These guys are poor shippers. Much better being purchased in person at a LFS so you can pick one out that made the trip.

Taking an hour to acclimate a shipped fish is way too long. Keep it 20 min or under, if there is a large difference, match salinity of some new tank water in a bucket or in the QT tank.

Ammonia becomes way more toxic at higher pH and pH increases in that bag water as soon as you open it and start adding water.

I would not continue to dip this fish in FW, it is way too stressed at this point for that.

It looks like it's mouth might be damaged? potentially from trying to bury in the bag during shipping or if you don't have sand in the QT (looks like you do unless that is your DT). It's anus also looks swollen?

Methylene blue bath may help but I have a feeling this fish is a goner as it appears to have a few issues. Sorry

 

[Tcook]

I agree that the mouth may be damaged. I had a very healthy radiant that I got from TSM. He jumped the tank and TSM said they would not likely get any more for 6-12 months. I should have known better ordering a fragile wrasse from a drop shipper. Hopefully he makes it through the night.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

The fish also has a prolapse or something going on - I see a bulge at the anal opening?

What the others said about acclimation. In addition, never give a fish a FW dip when it first arrives, the stress is simply too much, and FW dips are really just useful as a diagnostic tool and to buy some time with flukes. Since fish take weeks to develop flukes, there is no benefit from doing one the first 24 to 48 hours. Years ago, I had developed this cool "triage" process for handling newly acquired fish - that included a FW dip after acclimation . When I reviewed my fish mortality rate over time, I saw that my "process" was killing twice as many fish. I now acclimate properly and let the fish adapt for 48 hours of so before hitting them with treatments.

Jay

 

[Tcook]

Passed away this morning. Had a slight film on the sides. Hopefully not brook. The money loss doesn't bother me that much. It's playing a part in this fish's demise that does.