For Nick, David any anyone elese..
I've always thought the Leopard wrasses were beautiful, but very delicate and difficult to acclimate to captivity. Could you guys explain your methods of acclimation and what you feel contributed to you success with them so far?
Nick
Disclaimer: I am a hobbyist Not a pro so this is just from what I have learned.
Prerequisite: Before Adding any Macropharyngodon meleagris You have to have a tank that will support them, From my master I was told to have a sandy bottom. Sorry you Bare Bottom guys for this. When stressed the Macropharyngodon meleagris need to be able to hide when they feel threatened, I have read in books & Magazine articles were some people who want a Macropharyngodon meleagris but have a bare bottom have added a large bowl of sand to sit in the tank to allow the wrasse to hide in. I have read of others just letting the fish cope with BB and use rock work for them, I don't think this helps your success rate but I know we all have different tanks and are able to get all forms of life to live in different conditions. So sand = Best support for the Macropharyngodon meleagris.
Food: These Fish seem to be more of a live food eater when you get them IE = Pods they hunt allot for them. Usually they will drain a pod source down in 10-14 days.
( 4 fish in a 75 gallon tank ) personal obsevation.
This is your time window to get them to eat prepared foods. I have had real good luck with a Tang in the tank to eat Nori off a clip, This is the first thing I have seen them eat besides pods in the first week or 2. They seem to be very good masters of mimicking other fish for eating blender mush to prime reef cubes, If you can get them thru this critical 2 week time they have a very hi chance of adapting to your tank just fine.
Aggressive fish = Not recommended I have not been able to get these guys to get along with any Pseudochromis and Dottyback Fish. Mine have not done to well with a mated pair of Amphiprion frenatus clowns as the Female is mean.:evil:
Done ok with common ones like Tangs,butterflies,Dwarf Angels,Cardinals,
Morphing: Going from young female to a mature male has taken me 2+ years wait and they are real slow to change however the wait is worth it.
Tank activities They are jumpers screen in your tanks or prepare for carpet surfing. Over flows (screen them)
Tank Maintenance: do it after you main lights go off they will hit sand after Metal Halide's turn off and you can get allot done. If you do have to work on a tank with them up they will stress real quick.
Buying them: Smaller they are the better you % chance of them making it. I have went out and found Big mature Females for the quick turnaround to a male and they don't seem to handle the stress and I have lost them..
Worth it? Well I have seen my patience wear thin with these guys, They do a great job of looking over my coral and clams if you have them, Anything that looks like a pod or small snail is a gonner!
I have seen these guys eat small Stomatella varia and Baby Cerith snails. I originally got these guys to Hunt for any Pyramidelline Snails. However this is unwarranted because we all quarantine our live stock don't we.
Well I think that wraps up all I know so hope I didn't bore you all to much...
Lastly I will leave you with a before and after shot tank from the same fish on the 19th. Hope this helps
Jeff