What can I do?

[DracoKat]

My carpenter's wrasse. I had him for over a month in my DT. last 2 weeks he was getting skinny, though he was eating. I thought maybe he had internal parasites, but I could never catch him. Decided I was just damaging the tank and stressing all the fish out, so I left him there after several days attempts to catch him.

He has been bullied by my tang and exquisite wrasse for the past few weeks, but he held his own, remaining shy and hanging in corners.

3 days ago, I could not find him. He didn't come out during feeding. So I thought he was a goner.

Today, I find his little pink head poking out from the rocks between my acans (he blended perfectly!). He still didn't come out in feeding, but he's there, observing and hiding. I can't get him out since my rocks are all glued together.

What can I do for him? Leave him alone since I can't get him out to QT?

 

[jenreefer]

Unfortunately, it seems like you do not have a lot of options. I suspect he will not make it if he is not eating. Sorry

 

[DracoKat]

that makes me sad to hear. I did expect it though, but still.. sad

 

[jenreefer]

You might try spot feeding him down there in his little cubby. Who knows?

 

[DracoKat]

thats a good idea, I can try that

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Im hoping its just getting used to the new tank mantes and its been sneaking out to grab a snack.
But lets #reefsquad and get some fish opinions.

Whats Tang of tang do you have. Any other fish?
How big is the tank?

 

[DracoKat]

he was the second to last one added to the tank and been in there for over a month. he was active and swimming around until the past week or so when he started to get skinny. He was usually picked on by the exquisite wrasse and tang, but it wasn't enough for me to decide to remove him then. a pick here and there.

75g tank

I have:
Bristletooth tang
Exquisite Wrasse
Redhead solon wrasse
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Leopard Wrasse
Magnificent Foxface
2 Clowns
(3) Zebra barred darfish/goby
Flame Hawkfish

 

[DracoKat]

everyone else is doing well. active, eating and looks great

 

[DracoKat]

I just tried @jenreefer 's suggestion to spot-feed him.

I accidentally poked his head with the pipette, he didn't move. poked again, didn't move. Thought he was dead so I went to wiggle him out with the pipette, then he darted out to the surface. tried ti spot feed him while he was in the corner, he went to hide under a rock.

I backed away, and he came out, swimming in his usual corner. I don't know. he's still skinny, he isn't pale (but not bright as usual). but he's swimming around again

 

[DracoKat]

Caught him- in a breeders net until I can get the qt set up - I want to replace the water since it's old and stale

How does he look? Internal parasite? I don't see anything physical aside from stress spots- no ich or velvet. Just skinny and weak

 

[melypr1985]

Intestinal worms usually make themselves known with white, stringy poop. Have you seen him poop at all?

 

[DracoKat]

I have not noticed any poop, or seen him poop personally

 

[melypr1985]

Give him time to rest... if you have something small you can put in there for him to hide behind and feel more comfortable (maybe a small rock or pvc elbow?) then maybe he will eat for you tomorrow. If he's not eating it will be harder to treat for intestinal worms (assuming that's what is wrong). He will have to go into a QT with Metroplex in the water... it's not as effective as feeding the meds to him so I'd like to see if he will once he calms down some.

 

[jenreefer]

Caught him- in a breeders net until I can get the qt set up - I want to replace the water since it's old and stale

How does he look? Internal parasite? I don't see anything physical aside from stress spots- no ich or velvet. Just skinny and weak

Awesome job. Once in quarantine you can treat with Prazipro, but only after you are sure he is eating.

 

[melypr1985]

Awesome job. Once in quarantine you can treat with Prazipro, but only after you are sure he is eating.

Prazi isn't very effective against intestinal worms. Metroplex is better for that purpose. Though, we arn't sure that's the problem at this point. It could be since he was eating and still getting skinny, but that could be attributed to being bullied and not allowed to eat by the other fish.

 

[jenreefer]

Prazi isn't very effective against intestinal worms. Metroplex is better for that purpose. Though, we arn't sure that's the problem at this point. It could be since he was eating and still getting skinny, but that could be attributed to being bullied and not allowed to eat by the other fish.

Excellent point. thanks

 

[DracoKat]

thank you both of you. I am still trying to get the QT set up. I don't want to overshoot it with the salt so I am taking it slow. Once it's set up and all salt dissolved, I'll move him over. let him rest for the night and try to get him to eat tomorrow

 

[DracoKat]

I just put him in the QT. he doesn't look good. laying on his side. I might've stressed him too much by poking him out of the hole and into the breeders net and into the QT. Turned all the lights off so he can rest.

 

[Deinonych]

I just put him in the QT. he doesn't look good. laying on his side. I might've stressed him too much by poking him out of the hole and into the breeders net and into the QT. Turned all the lights off so he can rest.

Wrasses are drama queens and like to play dead when stressed. You did the right thing by turning out the lights. Hopefully he'll be active in the morning and can start to recover.

 

[DracoKat]

he moved during the night and is in a corner, not moving. I can't tell if he's dead, or weak and playing dead. his color is there so makes me think he's weak.

We'll see how he is when I get home from work