New Exquisite Wrasse Bobbing At Surface - video attached

[JakeK]

I just picked up an exquisite wrasse from LA's DD. and first thing I noticed while he was still in the bag even before I opened it up was that he was jumping and bobbing at the surface. Diver's Den ships salinity at 1.025, so I already had the QT set up at that salinity and double checked the water in the shipping bag. I matched temps, did one more check of all my parameters for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH, opened up the bag, scooped him out and put him in the QT. Now in QT with lights off he is still bobbing and jumping at the surface. Does anyone know why he could be exhibiting this behavior?

Here is a video.

 

[Deinonych]

Mine did that in QT and still does it in the DT. Not sure if he's looking for stuff floating on the surface or is attracted by the surface agitation. I've had mine since June of last year and he's otherwise completely normal.

I would just make sure he's not piping (gulping air) at the surface and that he has normal respiration and behavior. Piping and rapid gilling can be clinical signs of velvet infection.

 

[JakeK]

Mine did that in QT and still does it in the DT. Not sure if he's looking for stuff floating on the surface or is attracted by the surface agitation. I've had mine since June of last year and he's otherwise completely normal.

I would just make sure he's not piping (gulping air) at the surface and that he has normal respiration and behavior. Piping and rapid gilling can be clinical signs of velvet infection.

So, he is still doing it but now he is swimming with his head out of the water. Obviously stressed as the white banding is showing all over his body. I am thinking the box got tossed around more than usual by the carrier as the coral frag that I ordered with the wrasse was wedged up in the air bubble completely out of the water. He did eat 3 small pieces of mysis shrimp though. I sent the video over to LADD.

I sure hope it is not velvet. It would have been present at LADD then. Perhaps flukes though. I just dosed prazipro.

 

[Deinonych]

Possibly stress-induced behavior. Mine hid for about 10 days when I first got him - wedged himself between some PVC and the glass. Would come out to eat then immediately retreat back to his "bolt hole" with stress coloration. He's now arguably the most well-adjusted fish in my tank. So, give him some time to settle in. It's good that he's eating.

I agree that it's less likely to be velvet since it came from DD.

 

[JakeK]

Well, he ate 2 more pieces of mysis this morning. Still in his stress colors and just prefers to hang out near pvc in the QT. It's good to know that this may not be completely atypical behavior early on.

 

[JakeK]

He hasn't eaten since my last update. Continued labored breathing and mostly rests on the bottom of tank. I'm starting to think it was ammonia poisoning inside the shipping bag. No visible signs of infection or parasites.

 

[Deinonych]

I'd give LA/DD a call to let them know just in case things take a turn for the worse after the warranty period. If they have a record within the 14-day window, they will usually honor the guarantee outside of the normal period. Hope he pulls through...they are wonderful fish.

 

[JakeK]

I'd give LA/DD a call to let them know just in case things take a turn for the worse after the warranty period. If they have a record within the 14-day window, they will usually honor the guarantee outside of the normal period. Hope he pulls through...they are wonderful fish.

I spent 45 minutes on the phone with them yesterday and emailed them his status today. I notified them as soon as I noticed the odd behavior. I decided to move him to one of my display tanks that only has coral and inverts in it.

 

[JakeK]

Update: The exquisite not only survived, but is thriving now. Such a great addition to the tank, although scared me pretty good when he was very distressed upon receiving him.

 

[Deinonych]

Great news! They are amazing fish with tons of personality. Glad everything turned out well for you.