Behavior of Cleaner Wrasses

odb

odb

New Member
Well, I went to the lfs.. they had a new shipment of marine fish in 2 days ago. I picked up a small (3/4") striped damsel, and a smallish (2") cleaner wrasse as they were on sale. These are the first 2 fish in my tank. I found that the wrasse, after I had turned out the lights, found a little crevasse in the rock and layed there and seemed to go to sleep. This morning, when I turned on the lights, both fish were asleep, and they slowly woke up. The wrasse swam around for about a minute, then found a dark hole and seemed to go back to sleep. Is this normal for these beasts? My damsel is up and exploring, but the wrasse is still in the hole. What do you think? Sick, or not. He ate fine last night (frozen brine shrimp) (all water measurements are perfect.)
 
odb

odb

New Member
Well, it looks like he was just extra tired. Just as I was leaving for work, he pooped out and started swimmin around like normal, fighting with the damsel for some brine shrimp. Something else I noticed.... There was a tiny little thing swimming around... I thought it was a jellyfish. Same swimming motion, but it had a little stalk on the bottom of it. I'm assuming its an anenome of some sort... brown in color, and about the size of a pinhead. Any ideas? Should I be worried?
 
bobsingh1

bobsingh1

Member
I had asked clayton the same question as during one of my previous post regarding wrasse that I have in my tank and he gave the same answer. I just fail to understand the logic as to why only a wrasse would die just becuse its in captivity and other fish wont? My wrasse has become my favorite fish. I have had her for a month now. Apart from eating parasites from other fish, its so active that during water changes and cleaning, it just fearlessly comes and pokes on my arm or hand.
I know its looking for food (and believe me, she eats well) and all.. but why in the world would this fish all of a sudden one day die...and others wont.
 
odb

odb

New Member
I definately agree with you that the wrasse isnt shy. I've had mine only a day now, and he gets right in there and fights for food with the little damsel. I love the way they swim, almost fly-ing (why wont they let me type f-l-y-i-n-g all one word?) through the water. I'll keep you updated on the health of the little guy and we'll see if clayton is right.

[This message has been edited by ODB (edited 06-09-2000).]
[This message has been edited by ODB (edited 06-09-2000).]
 
clayton

clayton

Member
Wrasse are not the only fish that die in captivity. There are many that will not survive longer than a few months.
I do not know the answer as to why these fish do not do well in captivity, and can only share what I know. These fish do seem to do fine at first, but do not tend to live for more than a few months.
The strongest theory is that it is due to nutrition. Just because a fish is eating it does not mean it is getting the right food. Naturaly a cleaner wrasse would feed on parasites from hundreds of fish, how do you know brine shrimp carry all a cleaner wrasses needed nutrition.
This applies to many many species of fish. In some cases we just do not know what these animals need to live out there life span. Most reef fish should live from 3 to 20 years depending on the species. Sadly, in aquariums many don't.
If we are thoughtfull we can avoid 'wasting' many of the reefs fish.
 
odb

odb

New Member
Well, he croaked. That sucks. Oh well. I replaced him with a scooter blenny and a green chromis, and my chromis seems to be afraid of the light. I Think its cuz the tank he was in at the lfs was fairly dark. He eats and everything, he just hides up in the corner where its the darkest. Oh well. :/
 
mainejo1

mainejo1

Member
ODB, get yourself and your fish a cleaner shrimp or two. They will clean your fish as well, if not better than a cleaner wrasse, and are alot hardier and will live much longer. they molt routinely, which is fun, and will climb up your arm and clean you, too. they eat anything you feed your fish plus detrius in your tank, so they are a real bonus. Just don't put them in a tank with triggers, groupers, etc. Sorry about your wrasse. I lost two, and they were less than two days in my tank and acting just fine. The more I read, the more I am convinced that they need to stay in the ocean. I am sold on my shrimp. I have four of them, and they are great and all pal around together.
 
lar

lar

Member
Cleaner wrasse needs to clean fish, when that food suppy is expended so are they. Their activity level requires continous eating. Only consider Cleaners and Tangs together.
 
clayton

clayton

Member

Originally posted by Slyly:
Or don't consider cleaner wrasses at all!!!
That seems the most informed decision.
I have commissioned my girlfriend to translate a passage about this into Japanese so I can give it to my lfs owner. The passage is out of one of Robert Fenner's books. Sadly, I have recently read that a site owned by Mr. Fenner is offering many of the fish that he says will perish in a captive environment.
So sick it makes me want to laugh.
To misquote a Chinese proverb
"A man who wants to move a mountain starts by removing small rocks."
Point= I think the changes have to come from you and I.
Just a thought - a rambling one at that.
Slyly - your a dude!
 
odb

odb

New Member
Well, I know I personally wont be purchasing any more cleaner wrasses. What other fish seem to meet the same fate while in captivity?
 
clownman

clownman

Member
sigh .. read this message little too late.... I can't find my cleaner wrasse that I got yesterday. Although, they might be hiding or who knows :confused: :eek:
 
fred the fish guy

fred the fish guy

Member
oh Yeah I forgot to mention about the cleaner wrasses that I have had one for almost a half of a year with no problems (knock on wood) but alot of them do bad. Maybe I was just lucky, but that was also my second one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top