Is Wrasse Twitching Normal?

[WhiteShark1]

I'm considering getting a five line mystery wrasse (on sale at my LFS for a very good price and I've always wanted one), but as I was watching him yesterday I noticed he would twitch every once and awhile and ever so often rub himself on a piece of rock or sand (not a constant thing, but it did happen regularly).

I ask if this is normal behavior because I had a yellow wrasse for about a year and a half and he did this all the time (eventually died when he jumped out of my tank while I was at work one day). The behavior between the two appears to be similar as they are not twitching and rubbing on the rocks constantly, but do it at regular intervals. I've heard some people say that this is their normal "œflashing" behavior, but of course others say it could be some sort of sickness (itch, and flukes being the 2 biggest suggestions). Any help would be appreciated.

I should note that while I had my yellow wrasse NONE of my other fish contracted these symptoms from him.

 

[reefmanmatt]

my six line is very sketchy , always seems to be on the lookout for something . never seen it rub on the rocks but yes , twitchy , jumpy , both the blue cleaner and six line seem that way in my experience . flukes is a thought with the rocks rubbing comment but a dip will rid the fish of them if it does have an issue

 

[WhiteShark1]

Yeah they do tend to act paranoid from time to time.

 

[WhiteShark1]

Anyone else have an opinion?

 

[Chris27]

If it's a good price, and it's eating, then I don't see a problem bringing it home. Just be sure to QT it, as that is one beautiful fish, and I would hate to see it perish for something that is easily treatable in QT.

 

[WhiteShark1]

If it's a good price, and it's eating, then I don't see a problem bringing it home. Just be sure to QT it, as that is one beautiful fish, and I would hate to see it perish for something that is easily treatable in QT.

Unfortunately, I do not have a QT tank (only so much room in my apartment).

 

[coralreefhq]

It is likely the wrasse may have ich or flukes.
Reason why it is rubbing it's body against the rock is to have manual removal.

If you decide to get the fish, make sure you have a QT tank.
That will make a big difference, if you decide to toss it into your DT tank, you better cross your fingers and toes for this one.

 

[Akrite]

Just QTing new fish won't do anything if your existing fish haven't been quarantined. You most likely have flukes as they are harder to see then ich and if the fish is swimming and twitching their in his gills. Depending on your situation you can treat your whole tank or remove your fish and treat them in a QT.

 

[Lynnmw1208]

you could always do a freshwater bath with some prazipro before adding it to your tank. my guess is flukes as well since you said twitching.

 

[WhiteShark1]

I actually decided against getting the fish (very disappointing) due to the fact that 3 days had past since I saw him and he was still twitching and rubbing on the rocks. One of the guys that worked at the LFS said they were already treating him (and all the fish in their display tanks) with copper (for no particular reason other than just to kill anything that may be on them when they come in). However, this would mean that the wrasse had been treated for 10 days with copper and still wasn't better (hence the reason for not getting it).

 

[Chris27]

I actually decided against getting the fish (very disappointing) due to the fact that 3 days had past since I saw him and he was still twitching and rubbing on the rocks. One of the guys that worked at the LFS said they were already treating him (and all the fish in their display tanks) with copper (for no particular reason other than just to kill anything that may be on them when they come in). However, this would mean that the wrasse had been treated for 10 days with copper and still wasn't better (hence the reason for not getting it).

The parasite can live on the fish for that long, regardless of how much copper is in the water. Copper, hypo, etc.. is only effective against the parasite when it's in the free swimming stage typically 2-3 weeks after it's dropped off the fish.

 

[jhentr]

Supposely if it's flukes (which usually causes the twitching), then CU might not resolve the issue if it's not being used with Prazi.

I think it's a good call that you didn't buy it since you don't have a QT and it might bring something that'll wipe out your whole system (don't ask me how I know).