Wrasse swimming upside down

dugthefish · Nov 2, 2019

Purchased a pair of red velvet fairy wrasse from LA a month ago. They've been in QT with a blue streak goby since I got them. Over the last few weeks they've adjusted well to tank life, and I was planning on adding them to my display today.

2 or 3 days ago I noticed the female swimming oddly during feeding time. She was eating well but seemed to be having trouble, or perhaps intentionally, swimming normally. Last night she was floating upside down at the top of the tank. Assuming she was dead, I netted her and she started flopping around. I returned her to the tank.

Questions: is there any chance this fish will recover? And should I hold off on adding the other two fish to my DT?

LAReefer4Life · Nov 2, 2019

Is she bloated? Any visible changes to the body? Have you noticed any aggression? maybe post a picture...

dugthefish · Nov 2, 2019

No bloating, no changes in aggression or other behaviors. Just like she doesn't know which way is up

Salty Lemon · Nov 2, 2019

Sounds like a swim bladder problem. There are many suggestions online -- one involves not feeding for three days, then feed the fish a skinned pea (frozen). Defrosted then fed.
But here is one from R2R if you know that is what it is for certain and it is bloated.

EMERGENCY FISH OPERATION: Venting A Swim Bladder

Editor’s Note: In the saltwater aquarium hobby, there are many challenges ranging from day to day tasks of maintaining a stable ecosystem to the more difficult issues that can arise due to disease or other problems in the reef. However, some of...

www.reef2reef.com

LAReefer4Life · Nov 2, 2019

Salty Lemon said:
Sounds like a swim bladder problem. There are many suggestions online -- one involves not feeding for three days, then feed the fish a skinned pea (frozen). Defrosted then fed.
But here is one from R2R if you know that is what it is for certain and it is bloated.

EMERGENCY FISH OPERATION: Venting A Swim Bladder

Editor’s Note: In the saltwater aquarium hobby, there are many challenges ranging from day to day tasks of maintaining a stable ecosystem to the more difficult issues that can arise due to disease or other problems in the reef. However, some of...

www.reef2reef.com

+1 ^ this exactly

dugthefish · Nov 2, 2019

Ok, I will look into remedying a possible swim bladder issue. I should be ok adding the other 2 fish to the DT?

LAReefer4Life · Nov 2, 2019

Did you treat all fish with any meds while in QT?

dugthefish · Nov 2, 2019

pathot984 said:
Did you treat all fish with any meds while in QT?

No

Greg P · Nov 2, 2019

dugthefish said:
I should be ok adding the other 2 fish to the DT?

Not if it's something systemic

William Mumford · Nov 2, 2019

I have seen it happen more in new fish that eat floating food I dont know if it is coincidence just what I have seen.

dugthefish · Nov 2, 2019

William Mumford said:
I have seen it happen more in new fish that eat floating food I dont know if it is coincidence just what I have seen.

These are my first wrasse, they definitely gulp a lot of air while top feeding

William Mumford · Nov 2, 2019

When they have swim bladder orientation is a telling sign. Not all fish show bloating. I am almost positive it is that. I would let the fish calm down dont bother it too much slow down the traffic in front of the tank. Turn lights off. The stress wont help it recover.

dugthefish · Nov 2, 2019

William Mumford said:
When they have swim bladder orientation is a telling sign. Not all fish show bloating. I am almost positive it is that. I would let the fish calm down dont bother it too much slow down the traffic in front of the tank. Turn lights off. The stress wont help it recover.

You think there is a chance this could clear up on its own?

William Mumford · Nov 2, 2019

There is many things that can cause it too much to list but if it isnt a parasite or a organ problem or the worst case things it will most likely supside. Test your water though just to make sure it isnt that causing it. I would give the fish time to overcome it without stress and also dont feed anymore floating if possible just soak the food before you add. Keep us posted.

dugthefish · Nov 3, 2019

Water tests in normal ranges, no ammonia and ~25 nitrate. Upon close observation, the female definitely has a bulging belly. I will readily admit I may have been overfeeding, since most literature says wrasse need fed several times a day. A majority of their food has been dry flake/pellet, with the main meal of the day being a shot of frozen when I feed the DT in the evening.

The male and the goby show no abnormalities and appear healthy and ready for DT. Can I move these two fish today so I can focus the QT tank on trying to treat the female? It seems from what I've read that this is a digestive issue and not a contagious disease.....

Salty Lemon · Nov 3, 2019

Check to see if she has white poop first. If she does, you will need to treat all of your fish for internal parasites. It is an easy fix if that is the case.

dugthefish · Nov 3, 2019

Salty Lemon said:
Check to see if she has white poop first. If she does, you will need to treat all of your fish for internal parasites. It is an easy fix if that is the case.

Haven't seen any white poop, ever. The QT is in my bedroom, however, and I don't spend a ton of time observing. The wrasses have been in for 32 days now, and the goby even longer. Would it take that long for a parasite to make an appearance?