Lubbocks fairy wrasse strange behavior

[Wolv18]

I bought a lubbocks wrasse about three days ago. It has been hiding for most of the time. It just recently started coming out to feed, and even then it would only grab a piece or two of mysis shrimp then go back to its cave. Well today it can out for the whole feeding and grabbed a good amount of food, but during the feeding it would dart into a rock and scratch off some of its scales. I thought it was an accident at first then it did it two more times in the same rock.

There is plenty of room for swimming and no other fish were bothering it. In fact my two clowns are scared and stay away. The only other thing in the tank is a cleaner shrimp, and it's stays with the clowns at the powerhead all day. So the wrasse has the entire 46 gallon bow front to itself. Has anyone else had a wrasse exhibit thus type of behavior?

 

[eatbreakfast]

The skittish behavior is fairly normal for a fairy wrasse its first few days in a tank. As you have already noticed it is becoming more bopd already. Once fully acclimated it will be quite outgoing.

The scrathing you are describing sounds very much like an external parasite of sorts. Most healthy fish can deal with them, though the practice of quarantine and treatment can greatly reduce disease and parasite outbreaks.

 

[Wolv18]

Ok thanks will he continue to knock off scales? And will the scales regrow? It's seems pretty harmful knocking of big chunks scales like that.

 

[3FordFamily]

May be a stupid question, but why do you think scales are coming off?

I added a Lubbocks a few weeks ago and after 1.5-2 weeks he is now out 24/7 and hangs with the other fairy wrasse (Exquisite, Carpenters Flasher, Solar). But the reason I ask about the scales is that this fairy wrasse often has what appears to be scales "missing" because of odd color patterns.

Not trying to call you stupid at all, but it had me fooled when I was newer to the hobby.

 

[Wolv18]

Each time a hit the rock I saw the scales come off

 

[Wolv18]

One was a pretty good size chunk to maybe a little smaller than a pea.

 

[3FordFamily]

Okay that's different. I wouldn't worry much. Keep him fed well, keep water perams in good order he'll be fine.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

I bought a lubbocks wrasse about three days ago. It has been hiding for most of the time. It just recently started coming out to feed, and even then it would only grab a piece or two of mysis shrimp then go back to its cave. Well today it can out for the whole feeding and grabbed a good amount of food, but during the feeding it would dart into a rock and scratch off some of its scales. I thought it was an accident at first then it did it two more times in the same rock.

There is plenty of room for swimming and no other fish were bothering it. In fact my two clowns are scared and stay away. The only other thing in the tank is a cleaner shrimp, and it's stays with the clowns at the powerhead all day. So the wrasse has the entire 46 gallon bow front to itself. Has anyone else had a wrasse exhibit thus type of behavior?

Did he look like he was glancing or flashing off the rock? If so he has some sort of parasite but until other symptoms appear there is no way to diagnose what he has.
I picked up a lubbock awhile ago and he hid in the QT for weeks. Anytime I walked into the fish room he hid...drove me nuts. Eventually he made it into the main and he is front and center all day long.

 

[Wolv18]

Yeah he glanced of the rock each time. The hermit crabs quickly cleaned up the scales too. Is the any course of action you take for this or will it just sit itself out. I have a cleaner shrimp I heard they are good for parasites maybe the the wrasse will make use of him once he gets more comfortable.

 

[DrSoussou]

Exactly what's happening with my 2-day new solar, minus losing large chunks of scales. This scared behavior is common in fairies, I'm sure he'll be fine, just keep your eyes on him

 

[Wolv18]

Ok I am thanks for the advice. At least it didn't flash to rocks and and lose anymore scales today.

 

[3FordFamily]

They're one of the hardier fairy wrasses, IMO

 

[Wolv18]

Ok so now I believe my lubbocks has ich. I see little white dot on its tail fin when it hiding in its cave. It's going to be impossible to catch because it's so skiddish. It also hasn't been eating that good either only a few bites of mysis shrimp a day, and it's also pretty lethargic. I see it laying in its cave most of the day.

My question how rapidly does ich progress? Once the fish comfortable and stays out, it may give me a chance to catch it and put Into a hospital tank. However I really don't want to stress it out all over again once it's comfortable any suggestions?

 

[Nina51]

if it's ich, you will have to catch and treat ALL of the fish in your tank and you'll have to leave your tank fallow (fishless) for 72 days. what size tank and how much rock work are you dealing with? there are fish traps that might help but you may end up draining your tank down to a few inches, removing rock and catching your fish (a plastic colander works well).

do a search for "tank transfer method". this is the easiest and most efficient way to get rid of ich on your fish but again, IF it's ich, it has been introduced to your tank and you must take the steps necessary to let it die off while your fish are in ht.

good luck! this is exactly the reason why quarantining new fish is vital.