Help!!! Orange back wrasse

I have had an orange back wrasse in my display tank for about 2 weeks (didnt quarantine because most recommendations for wrasses say not to- he was fresh water dipped with methylblue). For two days his swimming has been weird- its almost like is back half is paralyzed- he mostly drifts around like he is standing on his tail. If startled he will swim correctly, but otherwise he drifts pretty listlessly.


PARAMETERS (important)
Temperature:78
PH:8.3
Ammonia:0
Nitrite:0
Nitrate:5
Salinity:1.022
dKH/KH/Alkalinity:
Magnesium:
Calcium:
Phosphate:
Test kits you own:
Liquid or Strips:liquid
Brand Name:Red Sea
Are they Expired?:no


Tank size?120


Reef, fish only or, freshwater? FOWLR

Current inhabitants? What and how many?foxface, bannerfish, 2 clowns, 6 green chromis, orangeback wrasse, coral beauty angel, sandsifting goby
Clean up crew?12 hermits, sandsifting star, cleaner shrimp

How long has your tank been set-up?Spring 2009

Substrate.
Type?Sand
Depth?3 inches

Live rock?
How much?
Did you recently add some?no

Filtration.
Type? canister
Protein skimmer? yes- coralife
Do you wet or dry skim?dry
Maintenance schedule for filtration? monthly
Drilled tank/hang on back overflow? neither
Sump/refugium. What's in it and how much? n/a
Macro? What kind?

Lighting.
Lighting type?fluorescent
Age of bulbs?2 months

Feeding
What? flakes-am-prime reef, spirulina, formula 2; frozen-pm-variety of mysis, angel/butterfly diet, emerald entree, marine max, brine shrimp
How much?
How often? 2 times daily

Water change schedule.
How much?10-20%
How often? bi-weekly
What salt brand? instant ocean
Water source? tap

Additives/supplements used? Zoecon, Zoe, Selcon, Garlic

Do you have a ground probe?no
What kind of flow does your tank have?moderate current from canister return, coralia 3, and uv sterilizer

 

im not sure about your fish. but heres a bump for ya.

i read that you use tap water. i wouldnt. the algae blooms you will experience will make you want to quit. highly recommend RO water.

good luck to ya

 

Can't figure out anything, but your cuc seems kind of small, I have more then that in a 24 gallon. And twice daily seems like alot of feeding, do you ever have algae problems?

 

I have never had any algae problems.... (knock on wood). My cuc is small, but as I am fish only, I think that makes a difference.

 

I too use tap water (with conditioner) of course and no problems here! I guess that there is a number of factors that come in to play like, what conditioner you use. I use aqua-safe from Tetra and I also knock on wood...No problems! I also read that depending on where you live can make a difference as well. I live close to one of the water treatment plants so obviously my water supply would be better then those that live further away from it... Good luck

 

I have no clue for sure about what might be happening but it definitely could have something to do with something in the tap water. Unless you have had it thoroughly tested there could be something potentially toxic to marine fish in it.
I've heard of tanks being wiped out by new additives from the water treatment plant.

 

When i use to have my Flasher Wrasse he would do this when he "flashed" other fish. He would drift tail down head up life less with his fins stiffened for a few mins then went back to swimming normal. Not exactly your problem and i would say there is somthing wring with him but i thought i would mention my experence even tho it dosent help much.

 

Is he still eating? Also twice a day is not to much if all the food is getting eaten, i have a lot of fish and feed three times a day AND use tap water with out a SINGLE problem

 

He is still eating, but his swimming keeps getting worse. He is practically swimming upside down some. I wonder if it is something like swim bladder disease, though Im not really sure. As far as feeding, I feed enough for them to eat it all in 2-3 minutes. Because I have such a diverse tank, I want to make sure everyone gets enough.

 

Any chance you could get a couple of photos?