Wrasse chews then spits out food

toadstool_paradise · Jul 30, 2019

So I have a question about my yellow banded possum wrasse. Is it normal for them to grab food, chew, then spit out pieces? My YBPW loves frozen mysis but I noticed that he chews it for a few seconds then spits out pieces. He always goes for the biggest piece lol even though he’s so small. I just want to make sure he’s getting enough to eat, he seems fat and happy but i wondered if it is normal for them to do this?
Thanks! -cammi

GThompson · Jul 30, 2019

He may be just spitting out the shell after he gets most of the meat out of it

mfinn · Jul 30, 2019

Or it's biting off what it can swallow.

Jesterrace · Jul 30, 2019

They can definitely do this. Both my Melanurus and Blue Star Leopard do that if they get too big of a chunk.

toadstool_paradise · Jul 30, 2019

Well after getting home from work I couldn’t find my little guy anywhere, finally found him and he’s acting strange. Just sitting in one position when usually he’s bustling all over the tank. Seems kinda listless. I panicked and tested water right away and all parameters are perfect. Did a water change anyway but I’m feeling really upset about this. I’ve had him for almost a month and if I lost him I would be devastated because he’s my favorite thing about my tank. Guess I’ll hope for the best.

Mastiffsrule · Jul 30, 2019

Hey cami,

It does freak me out when a fish changes behavior. But let’s not panic. If it just occurred and not a pattern or loss of eating I would monitor. Any fish in the tank that may be aggressive?. We know waters fine. New fish, did he get QT, and any signs right now other than hiding.

Edit, sorry feeding anything beside the mysis?

toadstool_paradise · Jul 30, 2019

Mastiffsrule said:
Hey cami,

It does freak me out when a fish changes behavior. But let’s not panic. If it just occurred and not a pattern or loss of eating I would monitor. Any fish in the tank that may be aggressive?. We know waters fine. New fish, did he get QT, and any signs right now other than hiding.

All tank mates are peaceful, one yellow watchman goby and one midnight ocellaris who loves swimming with the possum wrasse. Never have seen any aggression unless it’s the wrasse pecking at snails lol. I’ve had the wrasse in my DT for a month, I know it’s not recommended but I did not QT him. I have not seen any signs of parasites internally or externally. All other fish are acting normal. Tried feeding and everyone fed but the wrasse. :/ makes me upset he is just sitting in one of his caves and doing nothing.

Mastiffsrule · Jul 30, 2019

Ok,

What have you been feeding? Edited, feeding anything besides mysis? Most times if they go into hiding it may be aggression, that sweet ocellaris may be a meany at night.

You checked water, it’s good. To be sure you checked, salinity, temp, ammonia. Those are the 3 to be sure the water isn’t the issue. What size tank?

toadstool_paradise · Jul 30, 2019

Mastiffsrule said:
Ok,

What have you been feeding? Edited, feeding anything besides mysis? Most times if they go into hiding it may be aggression, that sweet ocellaris may be a meany at night.

You checked water, it’s good. To be sure you checked, salinity, temp, ammonia. Those are the 3 to be sure the water isn’t the issue. What size tank?

He won’t eat anything yet besides mysis, maybe had a few pellets in the morning. Yep checked, salinity 1.026, temp 79 ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 0.
20 g peninsula tank with lots of hides holes for him. Usually he’s not shy at all! Bustling around til midnight hunting pods. He’s right next to my ocellaris and the clown shows no aggression ever. Currently not even though she can see the wrasse. I’m stumped. Really don’t want to wake up to a corpse. I’m hoping maybe the wrasse is just sleeping early today lol. Lights are in sunset mode.

Stuartmercer · Jul 30, 2019

They do that to break it up into smaller pieces

Mastiffsrule · Jul 30, 2019

I still think we’re ok. Are you able to see enough of him to see if there are any spots, white stuff, heavy breathing. Also anything wet go in tank after him?

Mastiffsrule · Jul 30, 2019

While we’re working on this can’t hurt to see if @HotRocks or @4FordFamily is around to give some fresh intel

rkpetersen · Jul 30, 2019

Possum wrasses can be pretty timid and delicate fish.
You could try some fish eggs, like R.O.E. They're just the right size and high energy.

bhuyett · Jul 30, 2019

Curious, if you didn't quarantine the wrasse, what did you do to medicate him after putting him into the display tank?

How long have you had him in your tank?

vetteguy53081 · Jul 30, 2019

Not abnormal. Change up diet a little once in a while.
try LRS and Rod's Foods. Accepted by many wrasses and similar fish (parrots, hogfish, etc)

toadstool_paradise · Jul 30, 2019

Mastiffsrule said:
I still think we’re ok. Are you able to see enough of him to see if there are any spots, white stuff, heavy breathing. Also anything wet go in tank after him?

Not heavily breathing. No spots he looks good but showing stress colors. He just swam to the crevice he uses for sleeping and I guess I’ll see if I can run to my LFS tomorrow and grab some black worms or some enticing treats for him. I really appreciate the help a lot! I’m an overprotective fish mom!

toadstool_paradise · Jul 30, 2019

bhuyett said:
Curious, if you didn't quarantine the wrasse, what did you do to medicate him after putting him into the display tank?

How long have you had him in your tank?

I have not given any medication to this guy. I did however get him off DD and im not really sure if they do a full QT there but better than nothing. He has not shown any signs of needing to be medicated so far. Have had him in my tank for about a month.

Mastiffsrule · Jul 30, 2019

cammi_bo said:
Not heavily breathing. No spots he looks good but showing stress colors. He just swam to the crevice he uses for sleeping and I guess I’ll see if I can run to my LFS tomorrow and grab some black worms or some enticing treats for him. I really appreciate the help a lot! I’m an overprotective fish mom!

Black worms are my go to and rk and other mentioned some other food. If he still doesn’t eat see if he responds if you target feed him. Keep us updated. Just don’t panic just yet

toadstool_paradise · Jul 30, 2019

Mastiffsrule said:
Black worms are my go to and rk and other mentioned some other food. If he still doesn’t eat see if he responds if you target feed him. Keep us updated. Just don’t panic just yet

Sure thing! Lucky for me they get a shipment of brine and black worms on Wednesday’s!

Mastiffsrule · Jul 30, 2019

I don’t think i said hi, yet so hi. If you didn’t post in meet and greet go there if you re comfortable and post.

On a side note, I don’t QT, but I have some years under my belt. One thing that will help you tremendously is feeding/diet. Black worms are great, brine not so much. Check out some of the nutrition threads. I recommend Qt from here forward, but the guys already in the tank will do great if you get there food dialed in.

Keep an eye on him, when he comes out give him a good look over, pics if possible. You want to look for breathing, fins torn, white spot or puffy looking. He is a nice fish