Need help with male flame wrasse

[itsmaaark]

Hi everyone i need help with my male flame wrasse bought him on feb 1st drip acclimated for 4 hours...he was swiming ok untill today he swims with his rear end down only using his dorsal fins and breathing a little heavier and swims on highest part of the tank does anyone know what could be wrong? The female that i bought with him is fine just hides alot...please help me with any info u have or what i can do to help him...

Water just tested

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5.0
Ph 8.2

[tomgl]

Tank specs please.

[itsmaaark]

Its a 40g breeder 36l 18w 12h have an eheim pro II 2026 canister cpr aeroforce skimmer 35lbs live rock...he actually diddnt make it over night...but if u can help me with info bout it anyway to prevent this vuz im going to buy another pair or just a male

[tomgl]

Sorry he did not make it. It was most likely stress that killed him. How long was he at the LFS before you bought him? Did you make sure before you bought it that it was eating?

[itsmaaark]

He actually was shipped to the store stayed in the bag there for 2 hours before i picked the pair up he actually ate the first day i got him he went wierd the next day...

[tomgl]

It was probably stress from shipping or the way he was caught.

[itsmaaark]

Ic alright thnx man hopefully i have better luck with the next one

[TheGreatAukSociety]

This is a common problem with wrasses. You should acclimate these with extreme care.

[TheGreatAukSociety]

Or else the surface gasping indicates your tank is to dirty for this fish. With a 5 nitrate already. Adding more fish, especially delicate ones is a relatively bad idea.