New Carpenter's flasher wrasse inactive in QT

[jaybfresh]

I have a Carpenter's flasher wrasse in QT that has stayed tucked along the bottom edge of the tank for the 2 days I've had him, moving every few hours to a new spot. Breathing isn't labored, no outward signs of parasites (though he's hard to observe in this position). He did not eat either day.

How long do I give the hiding routine before I should be concerned? He arrived with a Helfrichi firefish, which started swimming and eating right away.

 

[ajherrera2]

Do you have any sand in the Qt? In my experience with other flashers/fairies, some tend to retreat to the sand bed for refuge for a few days upon introduction until either hungry, or feel safe to come and venture out. If no sand in the QT it may be tucking along the edge for the same reasons, give it a few days and it should come out and eat soon.

 

[jaybfresh]

Thanks... No sand, just a barebones QT tank with some PVC fittings. I'll wait another couple days before panicking.

 

[Deinonych]

Do you have any sand in the Qt? In my experience with other flashers/fairies, some tend to retreat to the sand bed for refuge for a few days upon introduction until either hungry, or feel safe to come and venture out. If no sand in the QT it may be tucking along the edge for the same reasons, give it a few days and it should come out and eat soon.

Cirrhilabrus and Paracheilinus spp. don't require a sandbed as they retreat to the rockwork (or PVC fittings in this case) for security.

To the OP: if the wrasse is not eating, it may be cause for concern. IME, flashers tend to be shy for the first day in QT, but if healthy they are pretty active by the second day and should certainly be eating by that time. I've never had a healthy wrasse that wasn't a complete pig at mealtime. Hopefully he'll perk up in the next day or so.

 

[bluecoyote79]

If you can find frozen fish eggs, that may tempt him into eating. I used Rod's Food fish eggs to get a picky red lined wrasse to start eating. She quickly became a huge pig.

 

[jaybfresh]

Don't think this one will make it. This morning he is just laying on the bottom in a curved position.