Something wrong with ruby longfin wrasse

[pardonmyreefing]

Wrasse can behave as you describe for a few reasons:

1) they’re ill and can no longer swim properly (not enough energy any longer)
— by this time it’s often too late, but you’d have to treat the underlying ailment, which could be a myriad of things

2) swim bladder issues but this typically makes the fish more buoyant (sits at top until it fights its way down)
— this will need to be landed, this is hard to do and YouTube has some good videos on this. You’re essentially stabbing the fish with a fine needle in the swim bladder to release the pressure. Epsom salt can be used afterward

3) spinal cord injuries (usually seem like a weight is tied to the tail as it’s typically pointing down and they struggle to balance well)
— time is really all you can do. Hope and wait. Maybe some epsom salt for swelling (1 tsp per 5 gal)

4) poisoning — often from copper levels above 2.0 PPM.
— reducing copper can actually “remedy” in 24 hours.

See I thought it was the swim bladder issue so I fed him some peas (which he ate) but a bacterial infection seems more likely, I’ll give him time but I’m not sure he’ll make it through the night. He would just start spinning and spinning out of control then be fine the next minute.

 

[Big G]

Salvage protocol: you can lower the salinity and temp a bit, add a powerhead & airstone for more O2 to help it breathe a bit better which could help the fish.