Dead Lineatus , what happened?

[mirkus]

I found the body of my lineatus wrasse yesterday morning. I have no idea what happened to him. Everything seemed "normal" until I noticed that the fish didn't come out to eat. It was in it's sleeping location and breathing hard. Days go by with more of the same. Towards the end, the fish came out swimming really slow and got stuck to vortech, but managed to find enough energy to move away. The only thing I noticed was a fat belly which seemed odd for fish that hasn't eaten in a while. Anyway, here's a picture. Oh, I've had fish for roughly 3 years.

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[Dmorty217]

What was the last thing added and when? Do you QT fish or corals? If so what do you do for QT of either/both? The tail looks ragged, did any harass the wrasse?

 

[scuzy]

Yeah same questions as dmorty. Harassment from others or flukes could be possibility. But will need to know your quarantine routine.


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[mirkus]

No qt... ever. Added a smaller Scott's wrasse about a month and a half ago. For the most part the fish didn't have any trouble in tank. I guess the one exception would be this jerky tomato clown. I think the fins are ragged because of the final days. It spent a lot of time in its cave and looking like it was going to die on some rocks in the back of tank.

Looking back, the fish's belly did get bigger than normal. I just thought it was eating a lot. Seems like there was some kind of blockage or something.


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[JustinM]

Usually a swollen belly is because of internal worms.

My lineatus was bullied to death by a rhomboid. They are very docile fish too.

 

[JustinM]

If you’re willing, dissect him. It will let you know for sure.

 

[scuzy]

Dead Lineatus , what happened?

If you never qt then it could also be flukes. Since it's really common in the hobby for fishes to carry them. Check inside the gills too see if it's red and eaten.


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[JustinM]

If you never qt then it could also be flukes. Since it's really common in the hobby for fishes to carry them. Check inside the gills too see if it's red and eaten.


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I agree! Flukes are probably the most common in the hobby. This could have easily caused the heavy breathing.

Did you see any white, stringy poop?

 

[mirkus]

I thought about examining the fish more closely, but ended up just getting rid of it.

The gills would have been something easy to look at. I've seen my one spot rabbitfish have stringy poop but not the lineatus.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Tkieu78]

Sorry for the loss man. I've personally seen this fish in person and it was beautiful.


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[dendrite]

I seem to remember a thread within the last several months discussing longevity of the flasher/fairy wrasses being three to five years. Considering that the fish in question was in the tank three years without a problem it certainly is possible that it’s death by old age with any parasite infestation being an associate but not contributing factor

 

[JustinM]

I seem to remember a thread within the last several months discussing longevity of the flasher/fairy wrasses being three to five years. Considering that the fish in question was in the tank three years without a problem it certainly is possible that it's death by old age with any parasite infestation being an associate but not contributing factor

This is true! Most wrasses only live for about 5 years. I missed the part about the wrasses being in the tank for 3 years.

 

[mirkus]

Wow, I had no idea their lifespan was so short in captivity. I might think again when it comes to spending $$ for wrasse. On the other hand, I have a tomato clown that I'd like to see retire into fish heaven. He's a real a#^*, but I've had him for like 11 years.


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[Jdub968]

If you have anymore odd deaths try to get the fish quickly into a fw dip this might still revile if the are flukes present. Sorry for the loss.