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Sixline wrasse not swimming (1 Viewer)

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thesaltnoob

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My new sixline wrasse I have had more than 7 days and was doing fine till a day ago it tries to swim then sinks like it's weighted down or something. Help?
 

webster1234

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Sounds like it has some sort of swim bladder disorder. Without knowing anything about your system size, other inhabitants, water quality, or anything else, it is hard to say what to do without more info. I can say, if it were my system and I knew everything else was good, I would isolate the fish in a 10g QT and treat with a broad spectrum antibiotic like Seachem's KanaPlex or SulfaPlex. KanaPlex has worked well for me when I had a fish that was suffering from one thing or another. The hard diagnosis about swim bladder issues is identifying what caused them in the first place. If it was due to poor collecting, it will usually correct itself over time as long as the fish is eating. If it is due to a bacterial infection, then an antibiotic is the best choice. But then why did he get a bacterial infection. Was it poor water quality? Stress? Fighting? Injury? If it will eat medicated food, even better. If it won't eat, then treat the water with the aforementioned medication. A QT is a must in this situation because you don't want to dose your whole tank with an antibiotic if you don't have to. Also, medication can be quickly removed from the water with carbon in a 10g system in case one isn't working and you need to switch to a different med.
 
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thesaltnoob

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Well I have 20 gallon And hob
filter. everything else in the tank are doing great, coral and fish. I will try medicating it but it's not eating I don't think.
 

webster1234

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If you can isolate in a 10g qt with a $10 hob filter (no carbon or floss) for water circulation, I would put him in there asap and treat with Seachem's KanaPlex as recommended and Hikari's PraziPro at the same time. This will get anything bacterial and any parasites since he is not eating. Treat the Kanaplex for a max of 7 days (dosed every other day, so 3 doses) and the PraziPro (one dose lasts 7 days) for the same. With a fish that small, ammonia may or may not be an issue. Be sure to monitor it at least daily with a test kit (I monitor morning and eve) and do 30-40% water changes as needed. If he's not showing signs of improvement in 7 days, you will need to try a different med. You might put egg crate over the top of the qt in case he's a jumper. I know City Pets has the meds in stock. Not sure about any LFS near where you are. Call and check. You might put in your avatar your location as people close to you are sometimes willing to help if you ask.

Also, if you don't have a qt, or the budget to get one (lazy or cheap doesn't count), the manufacturers claim that their meds can be used without any adverse effects to your other inhabitants, but it just doesn't make sense to treat your display with these meds if you can keep from it. Also, if you treat your display, remove any carbon and turn off your skimmer as these will remove any meds from the water before they have a chance to work. Don't waste time. If he's not eating, he will decline very quickly.

Keep us posted as to his progress.
 
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thesaltnoob

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Yeah Thanks for the help. I came home and found him told and already being picked away by my cleaner shrimp. I have had the hardest time with keeping more than 2 fish in that tank
 
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