Urgent help needed please: blue flasher wrasse

[Butuz]

Guys, where do I even start. I had this guy in QT for 2 weeks, he was doing great, went through Paraguard and then Prazipro, 1 week each. Was eating great, etc, no signs of illness. After that, I moved him to DT two weeks ago. On day 2 he disappeared (I have many caves in my aquascape, but did not see anywhere). I seriously thought he died and wedged himself somewhere. 2 weeks! Much to my serious surprise, he shows up tomorrow! The problem is, he does not seem to be able to swim upright/properly. He seems to struggle and has to right himself, sometimes swims vertically head down. I fed mysis last night with pumps off, he managed to eat 2 pieces (I could tell he struggled to even catch those). He ate nothing today. The way he swims, itslike he is disoriented or has swimbladder issues.

Here is a link to the video:


He has no visible signs of any external illness. What should I do? I have a 10g QT with 4 bartlett anthias on week 2 now (same regime, week 1 paraguard, week 2 prazi, and if no signs of illness, eating great, I am thinking about moving anthias to DT end of this week). I could move anthias sooner to DT and put this little guy into QT. I am afraid they will attack him otherwise. Also, what meds should I expose the wrasse too? Completely lost. Thanks guys and Merry Christmas!

 

[drawman]

Can you post a pic? It could possibly be that he broke his spine or a swimbladder issue perhaps.

 

[Maritimer]

I'll second the call for photos - or, given that the symptoms are behavioral, rather than physical, a video. (Upload to YouTube, Vimeo, or your fave video host, then link from here.) Swimming head-down is often a sign that he's got a swim-bladder issue going on.

~Bruce

 

[Humblefish]

Head down/tail up is usually the result of a swim bladder disorder in fairy & flasher wrasses. Are you seeing a bulge near his swim bladder area?

 

[Butuz]

Head down/tail up is usually the result of a swim bladder disorder in fairy & flasher wrasses. Are you seeing a bulge near his swim bladder area?

Thank you, guys, much appreciated. Here is a link to the video I just shot. Btw, not aure what is going on, did a video on my ipad pro and selected “full quality” in youtube settings, but its very grainy for some reason, - sorry about that. Will figure out this upload issue later. Appreciate the feedback.

 

[Butuz]

Head down/tail up is usually the result of a swim bladder disorder in fairy & flasher wrasses. Are you seeing a bulge near his swim bladder area?

Thanks, no bulge that I can see.

 

[Humblefish]

I see a goby going after him in the video; I would put the wrasse in an acclimation box or down in your sump for his own safety.

@evolved @eatbreakfast What do you make of this video??

 

[Butuz]

I see a goby going after him in the video; I would put the wrasse in an acclimation box or down in your sump for his own safety.

@evolved @eatbreakfast What do you make of this video??

Thanks, yes, when he drifts (at aggressive speeds given the current), both the goby and clowns remind him to stay off! Great idea, I didnt even think of refugium (albeit mine is small, native Red Sea Reefer 250 ATO, but it has TONS of amphipods, hopefully he will do better there for a few days while the experts opine on what I should do next. Want to give this guy a fighting chance, he is a trooper having survived two weeks in hiding. Thanks again.

 

[Butuz]

I moved this little guy to the refugium, he is pretty much upside down or sideways most of the time, curved into a letter C shape. He breathes normally, but I don’t think he is going to make it.

 

[drawman]

I moved this little guy to the refugium, he is pretty much upside down or sideways most of the time, curved into a letter C shape. He breathes normally, but I don’t think he is going to make it.

Sorry to hear it. You're giving him the best chance by getting him in the refugium IMO.