Wrasse swim bladder issue?

[dbenenh0]

So I picked up a Naoko fairy wrasse the other day from the store and he's been swimming around (more like drifting) at the top of the tank and upside down. He does swim down to the bottom and around the tank but does a lot of circle and loops. From what I've been reading it sounds like a swim bladder issue. It looks like my options are the following:

1. Green peas
2. Epsom salt
3. Kanaplex
4. Decompression with a needle

I haven't noticed any stringy poo and he's still eating good. Any other suggestions on things to try? About to head to the store now to pickup some peas and epsom salt and use those tonight. Ill get a picture of him before I leave.

 

[dbenenh0]

Pictures of the little guy

 

[4FordFamily]

@eatbreakfast @evolved

I think you're on the right track, is he eating at all?

 

[melypr1985]

I'm not saying you're wrong, but it looks like he could have an infection going on as well. Look along his back and the top of his head there. Have you started any treatments yet or were you waiting to see if he stopped the loop-t-loops?

 

[dbenenh0]

I haven't started anything yet. Going by the LFS tomorrow to grab a few things to use. I've attached a better picture of his head area.

 

[melypr1985]

I haven't started anything yet. Going by the LFS tomorrow to grab a few things to use. I've attached a better picture of his head area.

And now I don't see the white areas like in the last picture. We'll wait for the wrasse guys to chime in since you've done your research on the possibilities... there's not much I can tell you at this point. Try the peas and the epsom salt of course.

 

[Humblefish]

Sounds like a swim bladder issue or possibly a spinal injury. I'll defer to the wrasse guys on this one.

 

[Triggreef]

I actually just posted about this. Personally I would try kanaplex right away, since you might be able to save him if it is infection. But I've read that by the time they show symptoms like this the bladder is so badly damaged that it may not repair itself.

There is a video of a swim bladder decompression but being that it is not ballooned up, I doubt thats the issue.

 

[Triggreef]

@Bmwm235i

 

[dbenenh0]

Thanks for the help everyone. I'll grab some kanaplex from the LFS on the way home from work tomorrow.

 

[evolved]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but once they get this way there is very little hope for improvement. It is worth the effort to try, but know that you're going after a 2% chance. Sorry.

 

[dbenenh0]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but once they get this way there is very little hope for improvement. It is worth the effort to try, but know that you're going after a 2% chance. Sorry.

From what I've read online that's the same conclusion I've come to. I'll give it a shot though

For future reference when buying a fish is there anything I should look for other then the obvious signs? This one was at the store for a week and looked fine there but it really started showing up after I got him home. Also should I use kanaplex on my other two wrasses I have in the QT with him? Or is this something that can't be transferred from one fish to another.

 

[evolved]

For future reference when buying a fish is there anything I should look for other then the obvious signs?

I wish I had an answer to that; I've always known it to be invisible.

This one was at the store for a week and looked fine there but it really started showing up after I got him home.

That's usually how it goes; fine one day, not so much the next.

Also should I use kanaplex on my other two wrasses I have in the QT with him? Or is this something that can't be transferred from one fish to another.

I have never seen this or known it to be contagious; I see no need.