Wrasse Playing Dead?

[zoous]

I had a male fairy wrasse in a 75 gal. I had him for 3 weeks and he was eating well and looked healthy. One morning I see him on the sand bed not moving at all. He was stiff as a board and no gill movement. Didn't really see any type of injury.

I read somewhere that wrasses can play dead. Is this true?

 

[Doc Lemonjello]

I had a male fairy wrasse in a 75 gal. I had him for 3 weeks and he was eating well and looked healthy. One morning I see him on the sand bed not moving at all. He was stiff as a board and no gill movement. Didn't really see any type of injury.

I read somewhere that wrasses can play dead. Is this true?

Is he moving now?

 

[evolved]

Laying on the sandbed how? Flat on his side out in an open area, or still upright against a rock? If the latter, he probably still had his mucus cocoon out and was still sleeping from the night before. If it's more of the former, well... sure sounds like a dead fish.

 

[zoous]

Is he moving now?

Nope.

 

[zoous]

Laying on the sandbed how? Flat on his side out in an open area, or still upright against a rock? If the latter, he probably still had his mucus cocoon out and was still sleeping from the night before. If it's more of the former, well... sure sounds like a dead fish.

He was outside the sand bed. On top of the sand bed not moving. He was a beautiful fish too.

Can 2 male wrasses of the same species coexist in a 75 or is this a no-no?

Also if it is in a cocoon before and he came out of it would you see his gills moving?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Gills would be moving if its alive.

Do not put 2 males of the same species together.

 

[evolved]

Do not put 2 males of the same species together.

+1

 

[zoous]

Thank you for your response. Good to know.

Although I did not see any aggression towards one another.