Thin wrasse with ich- treat now or later?

[Alenya]

I just acquired two small wrasse - a flasher wrasse and a yellow coris wrasse - yesterday.

The yellow coris wrasse went to sand immediately and came back up 24 hours later. Now that I have had a good look he is both a touch thin and has an empty tummy, and there is a spot of what I expect ich is on his side.

They are in my QT a 40l nano with rock and sand and some corals. I had planned to remove the rock and corals today to prep for QT as I hoped to pick up another flasher wrasse later this week, and quarantine together.

Do I get the YCW in good condition before starting ich/quarantine treatment?

Or should I start QT now?

He started eating a couple bites this afternoon.

Also is it too late to move remaining coral to my DT in case they are infested?

I have cupramine, wormer and methylene on hand.

 

[meromeroreefer]

I would do tank transfer method

 

[ApoIsland]

I would get that wrasse fat and happy before starting any medication. Would probably get over the ich on his own without any treatment once its not starving to death.

 

[Alenya]

I would get that wrasse fat and happy before starting any medication. Would probably get over the ich on his own without any treatment once its not starving to death.

Cheers I’m onto that, a little food going into the tank every few hours atm, he is eating it now with a little more interest and losing the empty belly. He has one spot and otherwise looks ok

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Just be aware that when you move the rocks and corals, they can act as a "fomite" (carrier) for many issues that your wrasse may have. If the wrasse does have ich, it is possible that some ich tomites would be on the water covering the rock and corals - moving that into another tnak with fish could transfer the ich over.

Jay

 

[Alenya]

Just be aware that when you move the rocks and corals, they can act as a "fomite" (carrier) for many issues that your wrasse may have. If the wrasse does have ich, it is possible that some ich tomites would be on the water covering the rock and corals - moving that into another tnak with fish could transfer the ich over.

Jay

Thank you Jay, this is what I suspected. I will dispose of the remaining corals and rock once the fish are looking stronger and before starting quarantine.

 

[Alenya]

Just an update, the wrasse is eating well and has a full little tummy these days Either the ich dropped off or it was a speck of sand - have not seen any developments on these guys. I’ll still worm them etc before they go in the tank down the track. Thanks again

 

[Zionas]

Good to know. Maybe it was just a speck of sand. It takes open wounds for many wrasses to develop parasitic infections or if they were very weakened to begin with. They have a very thick slime coat relative to many other kinds of fish.

 

[Alenya]

Good to know. Maybe it was just a speck of sand. It takes open wounds for many wrasses to develop parasitic infections or if they were very weakened to begin with. They have a very thick slime coat relative to many other kinds of fish.

I’ll definitely still do a full QT once they’re ready, can’t hurt.

 

[Zionas]

Good idea.