Wrasse in QT Scratching

[TechnicalFisher]

Last week I purchased 2 flasher 1 wrasses (1 McCosker's and 1 Yellowfin) from Diver's Den. They went into my 10g QT on Wednesday and have been eating and behaving normally, doing really well.

This AM, I noticed the Yellowfin rubbing its right front side, near the pec fin, against the PVC I have in there. I also think I see a speck on the fin, but he's constantly in motion I'm not even sure I'm seeing anything. He isn't rubbing constantly, I've only seen it 3 or so times today.

I haven't added any meds yet but have Prazipro and was debating doing a prophylactic dose anyway. Should I proceed with that or wait and see for a bit? I've tested several times and water params are good (triple checked ammonia in case I am going to need to dose the Prazi), but still have concerns about dosing it with wrasses in a small tank. Many thanks for any info!

 

[TechnicalFisher]

I should add, the 2 have done a little bit of nipping, particularly when I first put them in. It has mostly subsided, but I don't know if this could account for the small mark I'm seeing on the fin.

 

[Mike_J]

I would recommend prophylactic treatment of Prazi for flukes and other internal parasites. However, if the flashing is due to external parasites like Ich, a copper treatment or TTM would be appropriate. Just remember medications will deplete oxygen levels so be sure to address this during treatments. Good luck!

 

[ebushrow]

#melypr1985

This new thread might help too
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fish-and-treatment-guidelines-with-chart.283450/#post-3451031

 

[melypr1985]

I would recommend doing TTM with the wrasses to treat for ich no matter what. But the scratching usually indicates something is irritating them. Wrasse are prone to flukes and intestinal worms so Prazi is definitely recommended. My advice? Run TTM and dose prazi 24 hours before moving them to the next tank on trasfers 2 and 4. It covers both bases and fairly safely. If you need it, there's a sticky at the top of this forum that explains this method in detail.

 

[TechnicalFisher]

Thanks so much for the answers. Unfortunately I'm not set up to run TTM, just have one QT and the DT. Would it make sense start the Prazi and watch closely for signs of something else? I'm hoping that since they came from DD it's less likely to be ich, but maybe I'm being naive.

And if it should turn out to be ich could I dose Cupramarine since I can't TTM? I know that wrasses can be sensitive. Thanks again.

 

[melypr1985]

Thanks so much for the answers. Unfortunately I'm not set up to run TTM, just have one QT and the DT. Would it make sense start the Prazi and watch closely for signs of something else? I'm hoping that since they came from DD it's less likely to be ich, but maybe I'm being naive.

And if it should turn out to be ich could I dose Cupramarine since I can't TTM? I know that wrasses can be sensitive. Thanks again.

You could run Cupramine or Coppersafe... both will be fine provided the copper levels are raise slowly. If you can't do TTM, then run copper and do prazi either before or after. It can be done at the same time, but if you don't have to, then don't.

 

[TechnicalFisher]

Thanks @melypr1985. Starting Prazipro now. For wrasses do you recommend a slightly smaller dosage (I'm seeing normal dose is 2.5ml for a 10g tank) or spreading the full dose over two days. Or am I ok to dose the full 2.5ml tonight. Again thanks very much!

 

[melypr1985]

Thanks @melypr1985. Starting Prazipro now. For wrasses do you recommend a slightly smaller dosage (I'm seeing normal dose is 2.5ml for a 10g tank) or spreading the full dose over two days. Or am I ok to dose the full 2.5ml tonight. Again thanks very much!

You can slightly under-dose it if it makes you feel safer. I haven't had any problems with wrasses and prazipro however. I'm still not sure where that came from. You'll want to do the dose all at once though. Then 5-7 days later, do a water change and dose again. You are very welcome

 

[TechnicalFisher]

So the fish reacted very well to the Prazipro and the first dose is finished. Now my issue is the McCoskers has a large split in its pelvic fin and a small area of abrasion on its side. I'm suspecting it's aggression from the yellowfin- they got into it on the first day and though I haven't seen aggression since, that's my guess. Both still eating well and otherwise looking healthy.

I'm only 10 days into quarantine but I'm debating moving them over to DT since they have completed a round of Prazipro and otherwise look very good. Just don't want to end up with one or the other going downhill from aggression and wondering if having more room and places to hide out will
solve it. Am I crazy to contemplate a move this soon?

 

[melypr1985]

Am I crazy to contemplate a move this soon?

I wouldn't do it just yet. Stick it out and try to add more hiding places for them.