Nitrates are down, wrasse is sick, Any idea

MikeP · 01-14-2002, 11:24 AM

Howdy;
The nitrates in my tank are down but my wrassse is still sick.
I have looked through some web pages about possible diseases and can't come up with a solution.
Diagnosis: Sits in a shell, does not come out to eat. No bruises or discoloration or lateral line or anything out of the norm. I am thinking of dipping him in fresh water but I don't want to kill him. Any reccomendations.

Background: Nitrates were off hte roof and everything else was OK, Nitrite ok ammonia,ph...
all ok. Tang and grouper are doing great.
Help.
Thanks

Wrasse Man · 01-14-2002, 12:29 PM

What sort of wrasse is it, and how long has it been in the tank?

MikeP · 01-14-2002, 01:22 PM

believe they call it a six line wrasse, it is about 6 " long and has been in the tank 6 months at minimum.

Wrasse Man · 01-15-2002, 03:46 PM

6 inches is pretty excesive for a 6-line. I think they only get about 3 inches. It may be another type of wrasse that is more sensitive to changes in the water. Keep us informed on how it is doing!

hesaias · 01-15-2002, 08:08 PM

Are you aireating(sp) your tank good? 6" is a big fish for a 75 gallon tank. Are the other fish picking on him? Have you observed him after lights out? I think yousaid your running a skimmer right? If so, try to get some good surface movement going in the tank to help with gas exchange at the surface. I wouldnt try to catch him or do anything to stress him further, it may do more harm than good. Hows your temp, and what is it?
Also, can you post a pic, or describe your wrasse for us?
HTH

Doug1 · 01-15-2002, 08:36 PM

I have seen one at least 5" but it had been in the same 180 for 8+ yrs, if its a hexatania and that big it may be older than me in fish years

Alice · 01-15-2002, 09:53 PM

How long as he gone without eating now? And are you sure he isn't eating? Does he come out after lights out at all to feed on little critters in the tank?

He may just be taking a while to recover from the nitrate spike; at this point, if you don't know what you'd be treating him for, it's probably best to leave him alone and not stress him further. How are the other fish doing?

Alice

MikeP · 01-16-2002, 11:41 AM

He is almost looks like a Raiant Wrasse but darker color(dark purple). He hasn't eaten in a week and 2 days. He sits in a shell. I did give him a freshwater dip 2 days ago and he did start coming out of the shell all day yesterday, not breating heavy either.. We think he may be being bothered by our Yellow tang but not sure, no marks on him. Him and the tang were best buds so, who knows. I have not really seen him at night(go to bed to early).
I will keep ya updated.

Wrasse Man · 01-16-2002, 12:12 PM

Make sure that when you feed a few pieces of food wind up in his shell. He might start by taking those and then getting bolder. It might take some time to convince him that it is ok to come out. It sounds like he is ok, just watch the tang and other fish.

Allyson · 01-16-2002, 02:03 PM

Speaking of wrasses'.....the 6 line that I put in Friday died yesterday. He was fine until night before last he started swimming kind of funny and spent a lot of time on the sand. I was concerned but didn't worry too much as when I fed the tank he pigged out and seemed fine. When I got home from work yesterday he was laying on the sandbed....he swam around a little and when I looked again about an hour later he was dead. The water tested fine....0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and just under 5 mg Nitrates. So I'm guessing I may have had a small spike, but it couldn't have been very high as all I added was a 6 line, a scooter blenny and a single shroom. No damage to the body...maybe a few white spots barely noticeable....but ich wouldn't have killed him that quickly.