Wrasse not doing good! Help!

[TheShrimpNibbler]

I got a diamond tail flasher wrasse on Tuesday. I acclimated it and it swam around for part of the day on Tuesday. That night, it went and hid in a plant. It didn’t come out until yesterday afternoon, and it only stayed out for a few minutes. It then went and hid inside of a plastic log for the rest of the day. This morning when I got up to go check on it, it was laying on the bottom breathing rapidly. I have tried feeding it a couple times, but it hasn’t eaten anything since I got it. Unfortunately, it’s not at an angle where I can get a photo. I am running some water tests now. Can you please help me? I don’t know what to do to save it.

 

[Fishy212]

Add some beneficial bacteria if you can. That will at least buy you some additional time.

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

Add some beneficial bacteria if you can. That will at least buy you some additional time.

I don’t have any bacteria on me and I can’t get any for at least a couple hours probably. Is there anything else I can do? Also, what would the beneficial bacteria for the fish?

 

[Intense37754]

Looking at your build thread and is your tank the same, did you switch salt? Are you mixing salt to only 1.016? Other than adding bacteria get some oxygen in there through a air pump or highly agitate the top of the water

 

[Intense37754]

Check your ammonia level or could be a bacteria bloom. Most likely a bloom that is consuming all the oxygen. Have you cleaned anything recently?

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

I forgot to mention that it is in a 5 gallon quarantine tank. I tested ammonia, and it was 0. I’m getting good surface agitation from my HOB filter, but I can add an air stone if you all don’t think that’s enough. The salt mix I’m using mixes to 1.016, but I keep adding salt to the water bucket until it reaches 1.025.

 

[Intense37754]

Your SG is now 1.025? Add an air stone to be sure. Had a bloom and even with a power head at the surface making waves still wasn’t enough, added air stone and within an hour they were swimming around and breathing normally

 

[Big G]

Was the wrasse shipped to you or did you pick it up at your LFS?

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

My salinity never dropped below 1.023 in any tanks, as I check the salinity of all new saltwater before adding it to my tanks. The wrasse was shipped to me.

 

[Intense37754]

I was only asking about the salt from you post in the build thread. I’ve checked the water from livestock I received and some where low.

I think others are thinking it stress. Do you have hiding spots in the tank?
What I’ve seen others do is use a sponge filter with an air pump. Not only will this provide added oxygen but also some area for bacteria to grow on.

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

I do have hiding areas. I’ve thought about using a sponge filter, but this hob has always worked well for me. I will add an air stone just in case.

 

[evolved]

Sounds like either salinity shock of a disease issue.

I see a lot of talk about the salinity of the QT, but what was the salinity of the water the fish was shipped in?

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

I tried to check the salinity of the water it came in, but I couldn’t get either of my checkers in the bag. I have no idea what salinity it came in. I guess this means that salinity shock could be the culprit. It doesn’t show any signs of disease such as spots, but I know that doesn’t mean anything. Is there any medication I should add, or would that only stress it more? I have copper and prazi.

 

[JayKim]

Usually the stores keep salinity lower to save money. where did you get it LFS or online? if it's LFS then you can call and ask or get sample and measure.

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

Usually the stores keep salinity lower to save money. where did you get it LFS or online? if it's LFS then you can call and ask or get sample and measure.

I got it from Liveaquaria.
Edit: I definitely need to get a refractometer so that I can check salinity in these bags. I usually use the Hanna salinity checker, but I couldn’t get my hand in the bag without spilling water, and my hydrometer didn’t fit either.

 

[JayKim]

y

I got it from Liveaquaria.
Edit: I definitely need to get a refractometer so that I can check salinity in these bags. I usually use the Hanna salinity checker, but I couldn’t get my hand in the bag without spilling water, and my hydrometer didn’t fit either.

if you didn't get it from diver's den then the salinity could be really low. they say they keep it at 1.021 but I believe it's a lot lower than that, more like 1.016. Sounds like salinity shock like evolved said.

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

y

if you didn't get it from diver's den then the salinity could be really low. they say they keep it at 1.021 but I believe it's a lot lower than that, more like 1.016. Sounds like salinity shock like evolved said.

It did not come from divers den. Is there anything I can do to help it if it was salinity shock? Would lowering the salinity now help, or is it too late for that?

 

[JayKim]

It did not come from divers den. Is there anything I can do to help it if it was salinity shock? Would lowering the salinity now help, or is it too late for that?

This I cannot help you with. I am sure someone else will chime in. I stopped using LA because I've had so many fish deaths and they started to blame my tank for these deaths.

 

[evolved]

I tried to check the salinity of the water it came in, but I couldn’t get either of my checkers in the bag. I have no idea what salinity it came in. I guess this means that salinity shock could be the culprit.

It's certainly possible. Try a syringe or a pipette, next time.

Is there any medication I should add, or would that only stress it more? I have copper and prazi.

You could try/start prazi or general cure, as it might be flukes. I would NOT suggest a FW dip to check in this current state of distress.

 

[evolved]

I got it from Liveaquaria.

It did not come from divers den.

In that case, it was at a lower salinity - in the 1.015 to 1.018 range.

Is there anything I can do to help it if it was salinity shock? Would lowering the salinity now help, or is it too late for that?

Unfortunately, if damage has been done there, it can't really be undone now. It won't hurt to lower the salinity, though.