Wrasse QT question

[GoldeneyeRet]

Hi all!
I recently got my first two fish for my 120 rebuild that is coming along nicely. I heard the nearest LFS had a yellow assessor so I hopped in the truck and away I went.

I got there and the yellow assessor they had did not look good to me. I passed on it. I didn't pass on a beautiful small Lubbocks though. I brought it home with the red firefish it was sharing a tank with. I wasn't planning on a wrasse first but, so it goes.

All is going well, the fish seems happy and is an active swimmer and great eater. The only issue I am wondering about is the tank water.

He is in a 10gal with the firefish. The water got cloudy on the second day in the QT and again the second day after first transfer. Zero ammonia (Salifert and fresh seachem alert badge) and both fish look happy.

It seems to me the cloudiness is the mucus from the wrasses sleeping cocoon. Is this normal or a cause for concern?

The first time I saw it I did a water change and it barely helped. I fear that extra water changes could add undue stress if the slime is harmless.

What say the wrasse lovers here?

Thanks for the advice,

Clark

 

[hogfanreefer]

What are you feeding them? When I feed mysis during TT the water get's cloudy towards time for the next transfer. Especially if I'm QT'ing a larger or multiple fish.

 

[Marshall O]

The mucous cocoon will not cloud the water. I have QT'd Fairy & Flasher Wrasses in 10, 7, & 5 gallon tanks. Never once did the water cloud. Something else is going on; possibly food as mentioned. What are you feeding, how much, and do you pre-rinse it?

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

I am feeding frozen right now, Mysis mostly. I suck any uneaten up with a baster. I am thawing and rinsing the food to minimize the "juice".

I thought of the food as well, but there is slime on the heater cord and I can see it in the tank. After my first transfer the tank stayed clear (through 4 small feedings) until the morning, when I could see the slime floating away from his pipe cave.

Also, I did not feed when they first went into QT, It was 9:00 in the evening and the water was cloudy by morning.

I will keep an eye on my feeding that certainly could be the cause. Any other ideas? Or am I just paranoid?

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Thanks for the input. I now know it is not the cocoon so I will look elsewhere to solve the problem.

 

[hogfanreefer]

Are you treating with anything? Prazipro contains an alcohol that can serve as a carbon source there by causing a bacterial bloom that can cloud the water. If you are well aerated it's not a problem...or hasn't been for me.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Nothing added, I have some prime on hand but haven't needed to use it yet. I will treat with Prazi after ttm.

I have been away from the hobby for a while and have forgotten so much, but it really does look like a bacterial bloom. I think I have plenty of oxygenation, minijet on the surface and an airstone, and the fish seem fine. Perhaps I should quit staring at the QT tank all day!