Help Blue Star Leopard Wrasse dying

[Hollifields]

I have a blue Star male and female leopard wrasse and Blue Flasher Wrasse in a 29 bio cube QT BB, salinity 1.22 pos, No2, 3 ok. Haven't had time for other tests.

The female I've had for nine days. I've done one week of treatment with Prazipro, large water change (30- 40%) and started a second round of Prazi treatment three days ago.
Fish appeared fine yesterday a.m. Had to take mom for surgery. Late last night returned home briefly to fed all fish and thought both Wrasse appeared healthy and ate.
only viewed fish briefly as mom began having allergic reaction (assumedly from the surgery anesthesia). Entire night in ER, now 18 hours later (just returned) female is laying on her side next to PVC with labored breathing. No responce to food or lighting, started swimming on her side upside down.

No visual signs of illness, she looks beautiful but it appears she is dying quickly.

I've added 3 mg of Alpha Aquavitro & carbon. I don't know what else I can do?

I have metro and many other medications any suggestions or help???

 

[pfan151]

I haven't had a leopard before but I'd definitely put substrate in the QT.

 

[heathlindner25]

the Avarium is a great store to buy wrasse locally.... where did you get her if you don't mind me asking?
I bought a twistii,Blue Star ,black spot, and dusky from there. Straight in the display tank with sand no problems.... a couple of them are 3 years old the newest one is around 6 months old

 

[Hollifields]

Hey Heath, missing you on ARC!
It's a LONG drive to Avarium and I've been asking nearby (and far) to get me a pair of Blue Star's for over 6 months. I had a credit with LA and ordered with a bud. Horrible experience "all the way"!
With that said, I believe in always using a QT. My time (investment) in this hobby isn't worth risking all on a sick fish.
I'd probably shut down if the need occurred to QT all fish... from disease or parasite that required spending hours/days/months to eliminate.
Love the hobby and my critters but the time requirements are exasperating as is!
Any ideas to help this girl?


pfan,
I could be wrong but believe the meds required to deworm and rid of all types of flukes would not work properly with substrate. Everything I have read and in the past recommends the use of PVC, miscellaneous sizes & shapes (with holes drilled through it). This gives all fish including wrasse a place to hide and be comfortable sleeping during the QT process.
I've done this with 3 other wrasse in the past successfully however blue stars are a bit more delicate...

She's inside the PVC currently with the male, lights are out but she's upright and breathing! It's just baffling to say the least why she was in such distress to begin with?

 

[pfan151]

Prazi will still work with substrate. Maybe at least put a Tupperware filled with sand for him to burrow in at night. I can't imagine a pipe will make him as comfortable as sand like he would be used to burrowing in.

 

[heathlindner25]

Update?

 

[Deinonych]

She's inside the PVC currently with the male, lights are out but she's upright and breathing! It's just baffling to say the least why she was in such distress to begin with?

My guess would be the lack of substrate. These wrasses need to retreat to substrate when stressed. The recommendation above to put some sand in a tupperware container in the QT is a good one.

 

[ca1ore]

Agreed. Leopard wrasse will lay on their side and try to hide under anything they can. You really need to add some sand for them to sleep in.

 

[Hollifields]

Update:

After reading the above posters and additional research I did add a large Tupperware with 3" sandbed that takes up 1/3 of the bottom of 29 cube QT. Unfortunately the female was found dead in the PVC the next morning. Honestly blew me away, it happened SO fast!

The large 4" male acted like he had died and gone to heaven! He head dove into the sand, flopped half of it out with his tail and then curled up and went to bed. I have refilled it several times but he obviously loves the sand.

With that said, he is still in the QT and appears excessively stressed (opinions?). The others I have moved into the DT.

Weeks ago he got a view of the DT. The QT sits next to the DT with a towel blocking the view. When the towel fell on one corner he got a view of DT. He went crazy trying to get to it. He managed to jump out, knocking the screen over and landed on the cold tile floor behind the DT. I heard it, grabed him, placed him back into QT, screen placed with heavy object on top and towel properly blocking view.

This Wrasse still paces the right side, side next to the DT all day until bedtime. It's discoloration fading of color on its back is the same as it was or maybe a little better then the day I received it almost 3 weeks ago. Any suggestions appreciated to help this fish get comfortable?
It will also only eat live foods!

Thank you

Constant motion...

 

[snorvich]

I haven't had a leopard before but I'd definitely put substrate in the QT.

Essential.

 

[snorvich]

What are you feeding? Frequency?

 

[Hollifields]

3 to 4 times a day

Live pods, brine, Mysis Rods, Larrys...

What do you suggest?

 

[jbvdhp]

3 to 4 times a day

Live pods, brine, Mysis Rods, Larrys...

What do you suggest?

I think you're doing fine with those foods.

Leopards are challenging, and I don't know why I like them so much. Unfortunately I've lost too many and it makes me sad. However if you're getting him to eat and he sleeps well at night, chances are you'll enjoy this fish for a long time. Mine are frozen pods first then mysis and now flakes and NLS pellets. Fun guys to watch. Good luck!

 

[Hollifields]

I think you're doing fine with those foods.

Leopards are challenging, and I don't know why I like them so much. Unfortunately I've lost too many and it makes me sad. However if you're getting him to eat and he sleeps well at night, chances are you'll enjoy this fish for a long time. Mine are frozen pods first then mysis and now flakes and NLS pellets. Fun guys to watch. Good luck!

Thanks, he ate well today and is snuggled in sleeping now!
Yeah!