mouth issue on wrasse from LA

BigJim · 10/20/2013, 10:21 AM

I just got some fish from liveaquaria and a grey head wrasse that I bought doesn't look normal. I have had this happen to two other fish purchased from them in the past and they both died. The wrasse's lips are swollen and it is swimming around with it's mouth open. The upper lip looks like is pulling away from the fish starting to expose bone. The last two fish that this happened to had the entire upper lip erode exposing bone and the fish died a few days later. This wrasse is heading down the same path. After calling liveaquaria they suggested melafix. I've had bad experiences with mela/pimafix lowering oxygen levels in the tank to the point where the fish were on the bottom not breathing. I had to do a massive water change to bring oxygen levels back up so I'd rather avoid melafix. The wrasse doesn't have any cotton like growths or anything visual on its mouth. This wrasse was like this when I received it and each day it seems to get a bit worse, it is in a QT so I can treat with whatever.

Mrscribbled · 10/20/2013, 05:44 PM

I don't like melafix either, can you post a pic? national fish pharmaceuticals green powder works well as a broad spectrum treatment.

Rea17 · 10/20/2013, 06:35 PM

It's not uncommon for these burrowing wrasses to have issues during shipping or in holding areas without sand. They try to burrow in the solid floors of the tanks and break or damage their jaws to the point of not being able to eat or infection takes hold.

Not a fan of melafix, if you suspect secondary infection try a broad spectrum antibiotic.

sean obergfell · 10/29/2013, 08:25 PM

I had the exact same issue with same fish..... Died w/in 3 days. Liveaquaria has the best customer service.... Refund immediately .
I look forward to my next order.... I will order a new gray Head

triggreef · 10/30/2013, 10:57 AM

I had the same issue with a melanurus from them recently and several other from them as well. They did refund immediately. I tried maracyn 2 but it didn't work for mine. Good luck. Its too bad I consider these to be very easy wrasses and generally have not had any issues from other sources. Everyone raves about LA though so I started ordering from them.

10/20/2013, 10:21 AM	#1
BigJim Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Frederick, MD Posts: 556	mouth issue on wrasse from LA I just got some fish from liveaquaria and a grey head wrasse that I bought doesn't look normal. I have had this happen to two other fish purchased from them in the past and they both died. The wrasse's lips are swollen and it is swimming around with it's mouth open. The upper lip looks like is pulling away from the fish starting to expose bone. The last two fish that this happened to had the entire upper lip erode exposing bone and the fish died a few days later. This wrasse is heading down the same path. After calling liveaquaria they suggested melafix. I've had bad experiences with mela/pimafix lowering oxygen levels in the tank to the point where the fish were on the bottom not breathing. I had to do a massive water change to bring oxygen levels back up so I'd rather avoid melafix. The wrasse doesn't have any cotton like growths or anything visual on its mouth. This wrasse was like this when I received it and each day it seems to get a bit worse, it is in a QT so I can treat with whatever. __________________ There are 3 kinds of people, those who can do math and those who can't.

10/20/2013, 05:44 PM	#2
Mrscribbled Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,669	I don't like melafix either, can you post a pic? national fish pharmaceuticals green powder works well as a broad spectrum treatment. __________________ Josh Current Tank Info: 600 FOWLR

10/20/2013, 06:35 PM	#3
Rea17 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Washington Posts: 1,254	It's not uncommon for these burrowing wrasses to have issues during shipping or in holding areas without sand. They try to burrow in the solid floors of the tanks and break or damage their jaws to the point of not being able to eat or infection takes hold. Not a fan of melafix, if you suspect secondary infection try a broad spectrum antibiotic. __________________ -Ami- Current Tank Info: 520g Reef Tank

10/29/2013, 08:25 PM	#4
sean obergfell Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Olean, ny Posts: 852	I had the exact same issue with same fish..... Died w/in 3 days. Liveaquaria has the best customer service.... Refund immediately . I look forward to my next order.... I will order a new gray Head __________________ Live Out Truth

10/30/2013, 10:57 AM	#5
triggreef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: East Hampton, CT Posts: 2,917	I had the same issue with a melanurus from them recently and several other from them as well. They did refund immediately. I tried maracyn 2 but it didn't work for mine. Good luck. Its too bad I consider these to be very easy wrasses and generally have not had any issues from other sources. Everyone raves about LA though so I started ordering from them. __________________ 200g DD Marineland. Acro and monti heavy with some birdsnest, LPS, and zoas. 125g FOWLR