Why is my new vanilla lobster sick, stumbling, and on its side?

Thanks for reaching out. Testing water quality for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate is the first step, correct any problems. There are few diseases transmitted between fish and invertebrates. If problems persist, a visit to a veterinarian is recommended. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out. Have you tested water quality for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Correct problems. Don't see any signs of external lesion on the pictures, except fine erosion, and possible gravid fish. A veterinary visit is probably needed to trouble shoot for disease. Randomly adding chemicals to the water could have detrimental effects. Good luck.

From your description, I think swim bladder disease is possible. There is a really thorough article that I will link below. When you check water parameters, it is important to make sure you also check nitrites and nitrates. Ideally, ammonia and nitrites should be zero and nitrates should be equal to or less than less than 40. If nitrates are zero, it indicates that your tank is not quite nitrogen cycled. If it is higher than 40, then you need to do at least a 50% water change. https://www.thesprucepets.com/swim-bladder-disorder-in-aquarium-fish-1381230

There are several causes that can provoke these signs fro water imbalances to specific diseases like swim bladder ones. This problem requires a quite radical but logic approach. Begin by submitting a water sample for quality testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or a nominal fee. High ammonia levels, PH imbalances may be responsible for that. Oxygen concentration and quality of the filters should be determined as well. If water quality is good and there are no major imbalances, your fish should get examined to look for any sign of bacterial/fungal infection and eventually water should be treated. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

By your description, the condition could be resolving. A bacterial, fungal or parasitic infection could have been the cause. It could also have been a traumatic injury. Monitor for signs of ich or bacterial infection. Move Mushu to a small quarantine tank or bowl. Maintain the water temp at 78-80 F. If it is ich, this will speed up the lifecycle. Dissolve 1 teaspoon per gallon of aquarium salt (NOT table salt) into the hospital tank. Perform daily water changes with conditioned water and fresh salt. Do this for 7-10 days maximum. A wide variety of minor infections can be treated in this manner. You can treat the main tank in this fashion if necessary, but perform 25-50 % water changes to avoid upsetting the nitrogen cycle.

unfortunately it is really common that fish are sold when they are already sick. I would be concerned the one hiding has a respiratory infection or possible fungal disease like fin rot. You can try and medicate the water with over the counter anti fungals. However I would recommend trying to take them to a fish specialist to get better medications due to having to treat both of them. If one continues to get sicker I would recommend placing it in its own tank.

Thanks for reaching out about Wolfy. Floating upside down is a serious concern, possibly involving the swim bladder or intestinal tract. Typically additives to the water are not absorbed systemically but the salt might help decrease osmotic imbalances in the body. A radiograph could help determine if fluid is filling the swim bladder, and then systemic antibiotics could be administered, probably vi injections. Good luck.