Wrasse Breathing Rapidly

[nickkohrn]

I have two wrasses in quarantine; one Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse an one Exquisite Fairy Wrasse. The Exquisite Fairy Wrasse seems to be breathing rapidly. It is swimming and eating normally, but I can’t figure out what may be the cause.

I am currently not treating with copper or other medications. Ammonia reads under 0.02, nitrites and nitrates are reading close to 0. Salinity is at 1.022 and temperature is at 79°F. I haven’t noticed any parasites, infections, or other issues.

Attached is the best video that I could get of it.


Any ideas about what may be causing labored breathing?

 

[Tangina20]

I have two wrasses in quarantine; one Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse an one Exquisite Fairy Wrasse. The Exquisite Fairy Wrasse seems to be breathing rapidly. It is swimming and eating normally, but I can’t figure out what may be the cause.

I am currently not treating with copper or other medications. Ammonia reads under 0.02, nitrites and nitrates are reading close to 0. Salinity is at 1.022 and temperature is at 79°F. I haven’t noticed any parasites, infections, or other issues.

Attached is the best video that I could get of it.


Any ideas about what may be causing labored breathing?

I just had a wrasse die and that was one of his symptoms, from research I gathered ammonia or lack of o2 are common causes. Do you have anything like a bubbler or water breaking the surface?

 

[jp_75]

any aggression? what is the white spot on exquisite face?

 

[Jesterrace]

It could just be that the stress is doing it in, but it does seem odd that you have any ammonia in there and maybe try a bubbler. Usually heavy breathing when they first get added is one of the warning signs. You could try slowly raising the copper levels.

 

[nickkohrn]

I just had a wrasse die and that was one of his symptoms, from research I gathered ammonia or lack of o2 are common causes. Do you have anything like a bubbler or water breaking the surface?

I just added an air stone to see if that helps. The Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse hasn’t been acting strange, so I’ll keep an eye on it.

any aggression? what is the white spot on exquisite face?

It comes and goes when its stress pattern shows or when it sleeps. I assume it’s just part of its pattern.

It could just be that the stress is doing it in, but it does seem odd that you have any ammonia in there and maybe try a bubbler. Usually heavy breathing when they first get added is one of the warning signs. You could try slowly raising the copper levels.

I tested again, and the ammonia test is reading 0; I made my original post based on the Seachem Ammonia Alert. I just added a Tom’s Aqualifter and an air stone, which is adding a ton of bubbles to the tank, so I’ll make sure to leave it running 24/7.

The only change that I made today was releasing the Orange-Back from its acclimation box. When I first added the Exquisite, the Orange-Back was a little aggressive with it, so I put the Orange-Back into an acclimation box for a day. I watched the Exquisite cruise the tank all day without regard for anything from my home camera. I released the Orange-Back when I got home from work today, and there has still been no sign of aggression. Maybe the Exquisite was unhappy with my decision to release the Orange-Back. I’ve kept a close eye on them since, and there haven’t been any issues.

Should I treat with copper without having noticed any signs of parasites if it’s already stressed? Or should I wait until it has calmed down?

 

[Jesterrace]

I would wait until things have calmed down a bit. You don't potentially want to add a new source of stress if it's not needed and given the fact that things seem to be improving I wouldn't rock the boat so to speak. I only suggested copper because nothing else seemed to be helping/improving things.