Sick Wrasse?

[dmweise]

I got a sixline wrasse a week or two ago. I have had bad luck with wrasses since moving to my 90 gallon system. Each of them has had similar problems. No other fish in the tank is sick.

http://gallery.me.com/dmweise/100028/WrasseCrust/web.png?ver=12493487580001

Water Parameters:
Temp: 78˚
SG: 1.021
PH: 8.0
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 25 ppm

I have two powerheads that keep the tank well circulated. I am also running a 18 watt UV sterilizer.

[dmweise]

At first I thought it was just the stress coat that some wrasses make when they are introduced into a new environment, but since I have had a few wrasses die already I wanted to make sure.

[Gseclipse02]

i dont know whats wrong with it but nice pic


hope he gets better they have great character

[uriah]

Looks like a stress coat, also looks like its time for a water change.

[uriah]

Nitrates are a little high...

[Bill S]

25 isn't that bad. Not great, but not that bad. What's on the bottom of your tank? Wrasses like to bury - and if the substrate is sharp, they can damage their skin.

[dmweise]

The substrate is a fine sand. There is some crushed coral in it. I have not seen him go into the substrate though. He generally just hangs out around my pom pom xenia colony.

I am planning on doing a water change on Thursday or Friday. I generally do them once a week. I did my last one on Thursday. Nitrates at 20 is about standard for my system. I am working on my refugium now to lower it, but do not have many references for setup.

[aquasport24]

How do you acclimate your fishes? maybe be a case of improper acclimation.

[dmweise]

He died. :(

I acclimate my fish by floating the bag for 30 minutes. I then add a cup or two of tank water to the bag, float it for another 30 minutes, then add a cup or two of tank water again, let it float for another 30, then release.

[aquasport24]

Sorry to hear that. I did a 30mins. float and then place the open bag in a 5 gal. bucket. Slow drip with a 1/4 hose for about 30-45mins. Used a plastic bowl to catch the fish and place it in the display (less stress then a net.). Good luck with your next fish.

[edshas2]

that sucks sorry to hear that