Yellow Wrasse with Black spots, ID, trtmt.     6/19/12 Hi crew, <Joan> Let me first mention how much I appreciate your help and responses. So far, you've saved a beautiful Birdsnest coral for me and calmed my fears regarding a Firefish concern. You're wonderful!! <Ahh!> I have a new concern that I've searched info on all weekend and just need a bit of support to be sure my decision making is valid or should be altered. I purchased a yellow wrasse 10 days ago. I don't believe he is a true yellow wrasse but would be interested in your opinion on the species. Pictures are attached. He is yellow with pink/orange shaded sides and light orange spots down the side. He has a black dot on the tail, behind the eye, and 3 on the dorsal fin. What species of wrasse is this? <Bodianus bimaculatus; http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/wrasses/bodianus/index.htm Background info: He was at the LFS for 3 weeks prior to purchase in copper solution. His dorsal fin was missing sections with a beat-up look. I fresh dipped him with RO water <Freshwater itself is fine... RO needs to be aerated... as it has no gas/oxygen>  and Methylene blue upon arrival for 2 1/2 minutes. He was wild during the process even managing to jump out. I didn't keep him in the dip any longer than this due to his behavior. He then went into the QT tank. Seven days into the QT process, he suddenly developed small black spots/smudges on his back on both sides of his dorsal fin. <Not a problem> The pictures are blurry due to his constant movement, but I hope you can glimpse the areas of concern. I'm just not sure if we are looking at black ick, worms, or a bacterial infection. QT water is zero for ammonia, nitrites, and phosphorus. So far, I've added PraziPro to the water. We are now on Day 4 of the medication and no changes in the spots/smudges. I thought my next step would be too start hyposalinity for 4 weeks and possible add an antibiotic during this process. <Mmm, I wouldn't. Just isolation should suffice> During this entire time, he acts totally normal. Eating well, swimming around, curious and doing fine. What are your thoughts on the spots? The treatment plan? <Not a worry; no treatment>  As always, your support is tremendous. Thank you, Joan <Welcome. Bob Fenner>

Cuban hogfish <hlth., sys.> and other questions... Refugium algae...   1/31/07 Hello Crew, thanks for this great outlet of information.  I have a Cuban hogfish around 3 inches I have had for about a month.  I initially had him in a 10 gal quarantine tank but a week ago I put him in my 29 gal reef refugium (5" DSB) to give him more room.  Almost the whole time I have had him he has hidden behind whatever available structure that was in the tank.  He has eaten little since his arrival. <Not atypical, or to be unexpected...> I feed him live ghost shrimp, scallops, and dried anchovies.  He snubs any pellet/ flake food offered thus far. <Time, patience...> For day upon a time he will just hide and not come out when the food is offered. <Also reasonable behavior> If I take out his hiding place he will swim around and explore but as soon as the structure is replaced back to the hole he goes. What can I do, if anything to speed up his acclimation to aquarium life? <Mmm, little... this species needs much more room... and time> He is the only fish in the tank including the (46 gal) reef tank.  Do you think putting a saltwater acclimated molly in the tank would stimulate him from his hiding spot? <Mmm, maybe> Also do these fish have a broom like fins, like the broom-tailed Wrasse?   <Not really> I'm wondering because his fins look uniformly ratty.   <Likely resultant/shipping damage... will repair in time of its own accord> I have one other unrelated question. Would I be better off buying more algae for a mud/algae (mud less at this time) sump to lower nitrates or building a coil denitrator? <Either perhaps... maybe both> This is for a 120 gal reef tank with a full bio load.  I currently have a 27 gal sump with two types of algae in it. The lights in the sump are on 24/7. <... Depending on the species... Really only Caulerpaceans can be illuminated continuously... other algae require a/the dark period...> Thanks again for this site. Chad <Thank you for your letter. Bob Fenner>

Re: Cuban hogfish and other questions... HLLE issues    1/31/07 Thanks for the reply. Do you think I should go ahead and place the hogfish in the 46 gal reef tank? He was placed in the 29 gal so I could keep a close eye on him. Eventually after he becomes more boisterous I will transfer him into the 120 gal reef tank. <I would do this straight-away... You are aware of the possibility of a Bodianus species consuming crustaceans et al. I take it> The fish's lateral line seems slightly exposed from about the middle of his body the base of his tail. Should I be worried? <Mmm, no... you should be aware, pro-active... could very well be neuromast destruction/HLLE beginnings> I have a Passer Angle <Angel> fish that developed hole in the head (which is now healing fine) it seemed like a day after I placed him in this 46 gal tank. He was in there to fortify before going into the 120. <Good plan> Does the erosion take place that fast <Can> or do you think it could have taken place in the quarantine tank and just went unnoticed? Thanks again and it is truly an honor to hear from you. Chad
<Mmm, and you. Bob Fenner>