Rosy Fin Fairy Wrasse Getting Skinny?

[MDKMR2]

I have had a beautiful Rosy Fin in my 75 for about six months. He ate the same day I got him and is always waiting at the top of the tank at dinner time. Unfortunately, I have noticed that he is getting really skinny. He still eats very well - basically a mixture of mysis shrimp, prime reef, and formula 2 flakes but he definitely has lost some weight. Does anyone have any experience with this species. Knowing that they are plankton feeders in the wild I feel I missing something in his diet that is starting to show up now. Any recomendations? The only other change in the tank is the resident clownfish have laid eggs and are protective of the nest but they do not venture far in the chase. Thanks

 

[ACBlinky]

How often and how much are you feeding? I don't have a rosy fin, but my Lubbock's fairy wrasse eats like a horse. As a group, I think fairy wrasses prefer to eat several meals a day. Is it possible he was eating pods between meals and has reduced the population so he's not getting as much to eat (this happened with mine) or have you cut back on feeding lately?

 

[blface]

I had a pink margin do the same thing & then one day he was missing. It might be internal parasites.

 

[MDKMR2]

I have not cut back on feeding but I do notice that there are definitely less pods than 6 months ago... yet I never saw him eat any. I might try to feed him twice a day. If its an internal parasite what would you suggest. Thanks

 

[Peter Schmiedel]

Once a day feeding is definatly not enough, the fish has no parasites you just need to feed him more often. Feed him now at the weekend 5-8 times a day with smaller protions until he does not take food anymore - then he will be back to health in no time.

All plantivore fish need food at least 2-3 times a day.

 

[ACBlinky]

See if you can catch him pooping (which should be easy if you stuff him with food this weekend ) If you see him passing normal poop, I wouldn't worry too much about parasites. If he has white, stringy poop you've got a problem. I'd treat in a QT with Metronidazole both in the water and mixed into his food, and make sure he gets a varied diet high in vitamins while you're treating (to aid in healing). Metro is a great antiparasitic with mild antibacterial properties, it's very difficult to overdose, mild but effective.

 

[LargeAngels]

As Peter said. Feed many times per day. If he is eating dry foods such as flake or pellets you can by an automatic feeder to help increase the number of times per day you feed. Most of my fairy wrasses eat flake and spectrum pellets.