Order A2619660

Philwd

Premium Member
I received my order for a laboutie and hawaiian flame wrasse Friday. Unfortunately the laboutei is having problems.

I picked up the package at Fedex between 9 and 9:30AM. Got home and acclimated for 1.5 hrs. They were both placed into a cycled hospital tank for observation. The room was darkened for the first day to relieve stress. I did not observe any problems at this point but I was staying away so as to not stress the fish.

Saturday the laboutie was hiding in the far corner of the tank. The hawawiian was out and very curious. I fed the tank mysis soaked in prazi pro to see if they had any internal parasites. The laboutie did not eat and I could tell now he was breathing very heavily and obviously very stressed. I added an airstone to help.

This morning I saw the laboutei in the front corner but with 2 huge popeyes! The eyes appear clear and not hazy. I immediately started treating with melafix as my experience is 2 popeyes is not physical trauma but bacterial. The eyes appear to have gotten worse over the course of the day and I think the fish can't see. He bumped into the PVC when moving. His forehead also looks discolored and almost scarred. I fed the tank again with mysis but soaked in garlic to provoke an appetite response. The hawaiian went crazy the laboutie did not eat again.

I am fearing for this fish. I rarely lose fish in acclimation/qt. I can always get them to eat. But not this time. Do you have any suggestions? I do have stronger antibiotics like a penicillin based product I could use. I am also worried the laboutei has something that may get passed to the flame. He is doing very well and is so gorgeous. The flame is not harassing the smaller laboutei in any way.

Thanks,
Phil
 
Phil,

We are sorry to hear that the Labout's Fairy Wrasse is not eating and is showing signs of a bacterial infection. It seems as though you have done a very thorough job in the acclimation and attempts to feed the new arrivals. At this time we recommend testing the water parameters daily to ensure ideal water quality and using a bacterial medication such as:

Maracyn-Two
E.M. Erythromycin
Furanase
Penicillin

You may also want to try withholding a feeding or two in order to build the appetite of the fish. Offering foods soaked in Garlic Xtreme or other appetite stimulants will help to get the fish interested in eating again.

We have documented your customer file at this time regarding the problems you are having with the fish and ask that you contact us with further questions or concerns.

Joyce F.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster & Smith
 
Hi,
An update. No real signs of improvement. The labout's still won't eat. The eyes are huge. The fish hasn't moved since Sunday but is breathing. Water quality is ok. Nitrates a bit high ~ 20. Still need to test tonight. I started a penicillin regimen Monday night. I expect it will destroy my bio filter so I am moving the flame out into the display tonight to help with water quality. Here is a bad pic but you can clearly see the popeye. The fish is hiding behind some excess silicone and the bubbles from the airstone and glare made it a tough shot.

labout_popeye.jpg


Regards,
Phil
 
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