red coris wrasse ?'s

[socalracer]

i have had a red coris wrasse (juv.) for about 2 months and it has always slept deep in the sand bed, recently when it buries itself sometimes i can see part of it and one day it was sleep9ing on top of the sand bed, today is the weirdest it is sleeping sort of side ways and almost vertical in this indentation on my live rock...any thoughts? is this behavior something to worry about?

 

[socalracer]

anyone ? w/ a wrasse that showed similiar behavior?

 

[socalracer]

pretty sure the fish is going to die it is laying on top of the sand bed upside down tried to see if it would eat and it sort of attempted to but it would only swim upside down, in short bursts, is this a sign of any certain disease?

 

[el bob]

sounds to me like he is almost a gonner. id try to maybe let him chill, turn the lights out, but check prams.

 

[scsinet]

This fish is on his way out.
The Coris species does not do well in captivity. They frequently start to get emiciated and just plain frail. As their energy levels decrease concurrent to a significant thinning and loss of tissue and muscle mass, they lack the energy to dig into the sandbed all the way, then eventually don't go in at all.
You didn't mention how long you have had him, but typically, they die after being in captivity for a few months or so.
The behavior you describe is textbook. The vertical swimming is just his last throes. Even if it was a disease, it's far too late now for you to do anything about it. You will likely find he does not survive the night. Sorry man..

 

[socalracer]

u guys are right it died about 3 hrs ago...i wouldn't have bought it if I knew they had trouble in captivity.....o i have had it about 2-3 months

 

[socalracer]

it was weird though, seemed in a matter of about a day and a half it went from normal to struggling

 

[scsinet]

Originally Posted by socalracer
u guys are right it died about 3 hrs ago...i wouldn't have bought it if I knew they had trouble in captivity.....o i have had it about 2-3 months

research....

Happens to everyone at some point though.

 

[scsinet]

Originally Posted by socalracer
it was weird though, seemed in a matter of about a day and a half it went from normal to struggling
I'll bet that if you look at a healthy Coris, you'll find that yours was very thin, but you just didn't notice. They act fine until they just hit a wall and die.

 

[aw2x3]

I'm not sure you could call it as "they dont do well in captivity". The Yellow Coris (smaller, reef safe species) does excellant in captivity and the Red Coris Wrasse does even better.
I had my 12" - 14" Red Coris for a number of years and it was in perfect shape the entire time. I purchased as an adult, not knowing anything about them and it finally died of old age.
I dont think socalracer gave us enough info, for us to come to any conclusion about the death. We'd need to know tank size, tank mates, water specifications, etc.

 

[el bob]

werd

 

[scsinet]

Originally Posted by AW2x3
I'm not sure you could call it as "they dont do well in captivity". The Yellow Coris (smaller, reef safe species) does excellant in captivity and the Red Coris Wrasse does even better.
I had my 12" - 14" Red Coris for a number of years and it was in perfect shape the entire time. I purchased as an adult, not knowing anything about them and it finally died of old age.
I dont think socalracer gave us enough info, for us to come to any conclusion about the death. We'd need to know tank size, tank mates, water specifications, etc.
Well my hat is off to you... you are the first one I've heard of that's kept them alive for any serious length of time. I also have been unsuccessful at them.

 

[scubadoo]

Originally Posted by SCSInet
Well my hat is off to you... you are the first one I've heard of that's kept them alive for any serious length of time. I also have been unsuccessful at them.
You are correct ,red choris are often damaged in shipping...and are hard to keep.
They are not very hardy and do not do well in captivity. Of course you always hear of a success story ...but many will perish for every one that thrives.

 

[saltn00b]

Originally Posted by socalracer
u guys are right it died about 3 hrs ago...i wouldn't have bought it if I knew they had trouble in captivity.....o i have had it about 2-3 months

hey right on the money SCSI!
but that is the first i have heard about the red coris not doing well in captivity. i have not particularly researched them however. but definitely dont group all coris together when making generalizing statement, the yellow coris, as stated thrives in captivity

 

[scubadoo]

Originally Posted by saltn00b
hey right on the money SCSI!
but that is the first i have heard about the red coris not doing well in captivity. i have not particularly researched them however. but definitely dont group all coris together when making generalizing statement, the yellow coris, as stated thrives in captivity
They are often injured in collection and shipping. The shipping bags are usually too small for the species. It takes a sharp eye to spot one in solid health which increases the odds for survival.
Sorry for your loss.

 

[scsinet]

Sorry, meant Red Coris.

The other wrasse species that seems to be similar to this one is the Formosa, same thing... there are successes to be sure, but there are even more disasters. It's really unfortunate, and I wish to God I was one of those success stories as the Formosa is one of my all time favorites...