Leopard Wrasse ???

[sharkbaitx2]

Well my wife brought home a surprise today. She was looking for a Bengai Cardinal (or two) but alas the LFS was out of them. However they just happened to have a Leopard Wrasse which they assured her would just get along superbly in our 55 gal(and 15 gal sump). I now know what the book says but can anyone who's had one give me any additional info. Typically, the tank has soft corals(mushrooms, xenias, zoo's, leathers and an open brain) along with 2 ocellaris, an orange spotted goby, 2 featherdusters, a cleaner and a coral banded shrimp. Am I in for any more surprizes ??

 

[osterman]

I've had one for about 4 months now and it's getting along superbly. Has grown quite a bit, and looks fat and happy. It's a gorgeous animal, wish I had two of them.

The wrasse is in a tank with mostly soft corals, hasn't bothered them at all. I have an attached fuge that is full of flatworms, but not one is to be found in the main tank. The wrasse is taking frozen mysid and daphnia, also cyclopeeze. I also feed it live blackworms and baby brine. It won't eat flake or any vegetable matter. I believe it buries itself at night but have never observed it. Took awhile to adapt to my day-night cycle but now is up at dawn and asleep by dusk.

Hope that helps.

 

[osterman]

I should add that it's a very active animal. Loves cover, and space. A 55 is probably a bit on the small size, though sounds like you don't have any large fish which will make the wrasse nervous.

 

[Alice]

Getting it to eat is going to be the biggest hurdle. If you can get the fish to accept small bits of meaty food, as Osterman posted above, the fish stands a good chance at thriving. They are pretty hardy when established.

Beautiful fish; having a pair of them has long been at the top of my "I want!" list.

 

[osterman]

Alice, mine won't even eat chopped frozen foods, like frozen Prime Reef or whatever. It has to be a whole, small crustacean, alive or dead.

BTW, you can call me Larry if you like. "Osterman" is my real last name, not a pseudonym.

 

[Alice]

Hi Larry

 

[osterman]

Thought I should update this, since my LW has made a liar out of me. It's now eating everything I put in the tank, including chopped frozen foods of all types (including Formula Two), and even--here's the surprise--flake foods, which it will take from the water's surface! I'm feeding generally twice a day, so it's not as if I'm starving him or anything.

 

[plumber_bob]

Sharkbait,
If you are having problems getting the Wrasse to eat. Definitly use Mysis shrimp and soak it in some Garlic Extract (e.g., Garlic Extreme) This is a Kent Product and can be found and many LFS. This helps stimulate the fishes appetite and makes him want to eat. Also, this product has been used to cure ick in a Reef environment. Just some additional information .

 

[SpeckledGrouper]

I got a Leopard Wrasse two weeks ago and it took 12 days to come out of hiding!
I now see him early in the morning and by noon it's gone back to hiding.
I am concerned about him getting enough to eat, I usually feed once a day, at night.
Any suggestions?

 

[BlennyBabe]

My leopard wrasse did that for the first few months I had him. It has something to do with their internal clock being off from what it was wherever they were collected. Now, after about 5 months, hes adjusted to my lighting schedule.

 

[SpeckledGrouper]

That's what I read too, BlennyBabe how did you feed him during that time?

 

[sharkbaitx2]

Patience. As Larry told me when I first got the LW, his (or her"s) schedule has to adjust to that of the tank. Once they get accustomed to the timer their hours of waking slowly come in line with everyone else's.

Mysis seems to be the food of choice but do try others for variety in their menu. No Larry, I can't get "Jennifer" to even try flake food - still too finicky.......