Wrasse Swimming Upside Down

sawdonkey · Feb 13, 2016

I got a six line and a cosmetus last weekend and I'm doing TTM. I just did the second transfer last night. Added Prazipro because the six line had stringy poop. This morning, the cosmetus is swimming upside down. It looks like he's trying to swim upright but something is making him float upside down.

Ideas? Solutions?

sawdonkey · Feb 13, 2016

Nobody? @Humblefish

Marquiseo · Feb 13, 2016

Swim bladder issue

Edit: There are many methods to try and fix this issue which range from needle decompression(worst case) to induced constipation by a de-shelled pea or Epsom salt. Over feeding is sometimes the cause and skipping feedings sometimes fixes the issue. Just do a quick search here in the forums for swim ladder issue to see all the available techniques to possible cure your fish. Good luck.

sawdonkey · Feb 13, 2016

Marquiseo said:
Swim bladder issue

Edit: There are many methods to try and fix this issue which range from needle decompression(worst case) to induced constipation by a de-shelled pea or Epsom salt. Over feeding is sometimes the cause and skipping feedings sometimes fixes the issue. Just do a quick search here in the forums for swim ladder issue to see all the available techniques to possible cure your fish. Good luck.

Thanks!

sawdonkey · Feb 13, 2016

So, I've done some reading. My fish is nearly upside down but he's fighting it pretty aggressively. I'm not sure which route to go. Epsom? I have mag sulfate, will that work? Needling does not sound fun, but I'm willing to do it. What would you do in my shoes?

Marquiseo · Feb 13, 2016

sawdonkey said:
So, I've done some reading. My fish is nearly upside down but he's fighting it pretty aggressively. I'm not sure which route to go. Epsom? I have mag sulfate, will that work? Needling does not sound fun, but I'm willing to do it. What would you do in my shoes?

It is truly up to you to choose the route but start with the magnesium sulfate and no feeding for two days and see if that fixes it.

sawdonkey · Feb 13, 2016

Marquiseo said:
It is truly up to you to choose the route but start with the magnesium sulfate and no feeding for two days and see if that fixes it.

I'm qt'ing him with a six line too. I'll put in som magnesium sulfate and see how that goes. He's not really eating anyway. Hes too busy swimming in circles upside down.

Thanks for the tips.

sawdonkey · Feb 13, 2016

Here's a video:

melypr1985 · Feb 13, 2016

I see a swollen area on the stomach. You've gotten good advice and I support it. Start with the epsom salt. Check out the sticky in this forum for a walk through on the needling procedure.

sawdonkey · Feb 13, 2016

I put some mag sulfate in the qt. Any idea what I should target PPM-wise? I'll needle him tomorrow if needed.

melypr1985 · Feb 13, 2016

Sorry, I only know the dosage for actual Epsom Salt

Epsom Salt: Treats eye and other injuries. Popeye in one eye usually means injury, but popeye in both eyes usually denotes a bacterial infection requiring antibiotic treatment. Cloudy eye can be a bacterial infection or flukes.

How To Treat - 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of aquarium water. Repeat only once, if necessary. Use only “USP” grade Epsom salt.

Pros - Reef safe, as Epsom salt is just magnesium sulfate.

Cons/Side Effects - The effects of excessive sulfate in a reef aquarium are not fully known.

I hope that helps.

Chknsamich · Feb 13, 2016

You should put more pvc in and near each other so he can wedge between it to stay in one spot.

sawdonkey · Feb 13, 2016

Well, he just ate some mysis to my surprise.

omykiss001 · Feb 15, 2016

sawdonkey said:
I put some mag sulfate in the qt. Any idea what I should target PPM-wise? I'll needle him tomorrow if needed.

Epsom salt is MgSO4. I'd start with same as melypr suggested at 1 tablespoon/5 gallons. If you want to be safe cut the amount in 1/2 and observe then add the rest.

sawdonkey · Feb 15, 2016

Well, he's eating still and I saw him take a poop, but his belly is still vey swollen and he's still mostly swimming upside down. Tonight is my night for my transfer for TTM, so I plan to feed heavy before transferring him. The swelling is very low in his stomach, so I'm not sure it's his swim bladder?

Thoughts?

Maritimer · Feb 15, 2016

Don't know how he got it or precisely where he's keeping it, but this guy's definitely got too much gas in his guts. Not a pro, but I'd think swim bladder is more likely than intestines - though I suppose that would be possible.

Good luck with him!

~Bruce

Humblefish · Feb 15, 2016

Can you get a good pic of the cosmetus and his swollen belly? @eatbreakfast @evolved

sawdonkey · Feb 15, 2016

Humblefish said:
Can you get a good pic of the cosmetus and his swollen belly? @eatbreakfast @evolved

Sure, he's mostly belly up, so pretty easy

sawdonkey · Feb 15, 2016

I'd like to point out that he was fine in the original tank, fine for the first transfer, but started going belly up on the second transfer when in ran Prazipro. The six line he's in QT is behaving totally fine. The cosmetus actually aggressively eats but has a hard time given the whole upside down thing. He's getting food though.

Humblefish · Feb 15, 2016

I think it's very likely to be a swim bladder issue. Cosmetus wrasses are found anywhere from 6-100 feet according to what I'm reading online, so it's possible yours was collected in deep water and not properly decompressed.

However, before you go try something as invasive as needling why not feed him a peeled boiled pea since he is still eating? Nothing to lose by trying that first.