HELP! Flasher Wrasse dying after first tank transfer!

[Spork3245]

I was originally doing TTM via 5 gallon buckets but found a 5.5 gallon tetra aquarium to use along with a 10 gallon I already had. I had the salt water mixed and matched to the bucket (1.025), water temp of the bucket was 78.9, temp of the tank was 78.7. I caught the wrasse out of the bucket and placed him in the tank.

All seemed well at first and then he started to breath heavy and lay on his side. He then started going crazy trying to jump out as I was securing the mesh netting I bought for a cover, he stopped and appeared to be dead then "woke-up" swam around a bit then rolled onto his back. I started to panic as I thought he was dead, he then exploded back to life and tried to jump out again and then swam back down and flipped back over and has been seemingly lifeless for a couple of minutes now.


W.T.F. happened? I thought TTM was supposed to be the easiest method with the least losses? I honestly don't understand, did I do something wrong?

 

[HumbleFish]

Just checking for something obvious here... How long did you mix the salt before putting the wrasse in there? What kind of water are you using? RODI or something else? Was the water aerated before placing the wrasse in the tank?

Just seems like something could be off with the environmental conditions. Either that, or there is something seriously wrong with that wrasse. I've never experienced anything like what you're describing when doing TT.

 

[Spork3245]

Just checking for something obvious here... How long did you mix the salt before putting the wrasse in there? What kind of water are you using? RODI or something else? Was the water aerated before placing the wrasse in the tank?

Just seems like something could be off with the environmental conditions. Either that, or there is something seriously wrong with that wrasse. I've never experienced anything like what you're describing when doing TT.

Thank you for the reply! Saltwater was mixed for approximately 18 hours in a 5 gallon bucket, I poured it into the 5.5 gallon tank after rinsing in out and drying it thoroughly, stuck the pump in there and continued mixing for another 5 hours. I am using filtered tap water with prime, which is the exact same type of water that was in the previous container he was in. The filtered water I use is fish safe as it's what I use for my freshwater angelfish that I've had for over 2 years now.

 

[HumbleFish]

Thank you for the reply! Saltwater was mixed for approximately 18 hours in a 5 gallon bucket, I poured it into the 5.5 gallon tank after rinsing in out and drying it thoroughly, stuck the pump in there and continued mixing for another 5 hours. I am using filtered tap water with prime, which is the exact same type of water that was in the previous container he was in. The filtered water I use is fish safe as it's what I use for my freshwater angelfish that I've had for over 2 years now.

The pump running should have agitated the water enough to allow for gas exchange. How is the wrasse looking now? Anything obviously (visibly) wrong with him? Any dots (ich or velvet) on his skin?

 

[scuzy]

Wrasse play dead a lot. Is his eyes moving at all?

 

[Spork3245]

He's dead. No signs of ich or velvet, he was divers den.

 

[Nina51]

that just sucks! wonder what in the world happened.

 

[Spork3245]

that just sucks! wonder what in the world happened.

It honestly seemed like he had a stroke or heart attack

I had a fish on order from LA to be shipped tomorrow, I'm going to see if they can add a replacement flasher to the order... I'm giving this one more shot before I give up on TTM... Given the responses in my threads on this it seems like it was a super-rare occurrence. :headwally:

 

[Nina51]

LA's customer service is the BEST!! good luck with the next one. these wrasses are just so pretty! i have a mccosker's in my dt from LA. not sure what got him excited last night but he was flashing a LOT.

i just did my first tt this morning with my kole tang. went off without a hitch. he has a piece of pvc in the tank but he's out swimming in the open, tank is right on my kitchen counter.

 

[shesacharmer]

I've been having the same problem multiple times. I match temp and salinity. I don't use bleach or vinegar to disinfect...just hot water and thorough drying. First tank goes well, second and subsequent transfers results in dead fish. It's so frustrating. I read every ttm thread I can find and do everything they say...are my fish really THIS sick or what the heck am I doing wrong?

 

[Nina51]

how are you transferring the fish? net or something else? if you are doing the procedure to the letter, the only other thing i can think of is possible injury to the fish during transfer.

i use a net breeder box (the kind you would use for live bearing freshwater fish). my fish never touch a net or my hands. i corner the fish in the tank and it swims right into the box to be scooped up and put into the next transfer tank. it isn't out of the water for more than a few seconds.

 

[Deinonych]

I've been having the same problem multiple times. I match temp and salinity. I don't use bleach or vinegar to disinfect...just hot water and thorough drying. First tank goes well, second and subsequent transfers results in dead fish. It's so frustrating. I read every ttm thread I can find and do everything they say...are my fish really THIS sick or what the heck am I doing wrong?

Are you using RO/DI water? How long are you allowing the new water to mix/aerate prior to moving the fish? I typically allow the new water to aerate in the tank overnight at minimum to ensure it is fully oxygenated.

 

[Nina51]

i've seen the ro/di question before and i'm wondering if it is really necessary. i use tap water for my tt and also in my qt. my water comes from a sand point sunk into an underground pool of spring water. there are no farm fields around so i've never worried about chemical contamination. the sand point is about 30' underground.

 

[Deinonych]

I prefer using RO/DI because it obviates variables. I don't need to worry about dissolved solids or other contaminants when using it. Is it necessary? Maybe, maybe not.

 

[snorvich]

I prefer using RO/DI because it obviates variables. I don't need to worry about dissolved solids or other contaminants when using it. Is it necessary? Maybe, maybe not.

With RO/DI water you know what's not in it. Otherwise . . . ?