Christmas Wrasse Help!

[dRsLy09]

I recently added a Christmas Wrasse to my tank (~2 weeks ago) and I think there may be something wrong with him.. About 3 days ago, I noticed a dark area on his side.. it is only on the one side, and it seems to be swollen. It is getting bigger/darker and I'm not sure what it could be. A few of his scales look like they are sort of raised up in the area as well. Again, his other side looks completely normal. He seems to be doing really well otherwise- he is active (until his and eats like a pig. He seems to get along with my other fish also. I'm not sure if it it some sort of parasite, physical damage from the rocks/crushed coral, or if there is something wrong with his bladder? Any advice on what this could be and what I should do would be greatly appreciated!

Tank is 75 gallons with approx. 80lbs live rock, aqua-c Remora Pro skimmer, sump/wet dry filter...

All water parameters are good, I do ~10-15% water change weekly with RO/DI water.

Other tankmates:
-Lawnmower blenny
-2 ocellaris clowns
-bicolor angel
-cleaner shrimp
-kole tang

 

[SMOOTHIE]

Bump for someone that can help

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Could be some internal damage/bleeding. FWIW, this is not a good fish to have with crushed coral as they like to burrow.

 

[jhawkor]

Could be some internal damage/bleeding. FWIW, this is not a good fish to have with crushed coral as they like to burrow.

I agree. My friends Christmas Wrasse takes a dive into the sand whenever it becomes spooked.

 

[rekn]

mine had that spot too. now its got black all the way up. its been like that for about 9 months. i just assumed he was a male and reached maturity as he also got some gold flaking on his face at the same time.

he actually got alot more " beefier" as far as muscluature goes.

 

[dRsLy09]

I agree. My friends Christmas Wrasse takes a dive into the sand whenever it becomes spooked.

This may be a stupid question, but can I add sand to the tank while it's set up? I only have about 1.5 inches or so of crushed coral on the bottom, so maybe I could move the gravel around and add an area with sand where he likes to sleep?

 

[Sheol]

...No wrasse expert, Myself, but sounds like an abrasion.

Matt

 

[jhawkor]

This may be a stupid question, but can I add sand to the tank while it's set up? I only have about 1.5 inches or so of crushed coral on the bottom, so maybe I could move the gravel around and add an area with sand where he likes to sleep?

Yes you could.

 

[iamwrasseman]

looks like an abrasion to me also and its correct in saying the crushed coral or the fish should go simply because you will probably kill the wrasse if you dont change to a sugar sized sand as he burrows every night to sleep and he will continue to do this to himself . the responsable thing to do would be to remove the crushed coral asap .best wishes

 

[dRsLy09]

looks like an abrasion to me also and its correct in saying the crushed coral or the fish should go simply because you will probably kill the wrasse if you dont change to a sugar sized sand as he burrows every night to sleep and he will continue to do this to himself . the responsable thing to do would be to remove the crushed coral asap .best wishes

Thanks for the input. Is there a specific type/brand of sand that you would suggest? I've heard that most of the "live sand" packaged in water is a waste of money...

 

[iamwrasseman]

a specific brand doesn't matter but it needs to be smaller than rice .like reef substrate or something of that purpose but not jagged crushed shells .