help ideas leopard wrasse
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moatdaddy
Guest
not the expert. I have had a green wrasse for a couple of months. right side of the tank has 2-3 inches of sand. left side has 1.5 inches. I notice my wrasse allways buries himself on the right hand side. dont know if its because that where he likes it or if the extra sand actually helps but he buries himself sideways. being less than 1/2" wide he has no issues. oh and he is mean.
kraylen
Member
Its not the sandbed you should be worried about... it's the feeding and stress you should worry about. These fish don't ship well, are hard to get to accept prepared foods and often starve to death in home aquariums.
Typically, the bigger and older the reef tank the better... Sometimes you get lucky and get them to eat prepared foods.. most of the time you are not. If you own a mandarin, lined wrasse or any other fish that hunts and destroys pods and tiny inverts I wouldn't even consider getting one due to natural food competition.
Another reason they don't ship well is since they bury themselves in the sand.... they get stuck in a bag and shipped to America and the entire trip they are trying to burrow in the bottom of a box inside of a bag... does not end well.
If you are stuck on getting this fish, scout one out that has been at the LFS for a while... make sure it is fat and happy and put a down payment on it, or buy it and have them hold it for a while. Have them try to feed it different foods while they still have it.... if it dies you're not out a bunch of cash... if it eats and gets fat and looks healthy after a while... take it home.
Typically, the bigger and older the reef tank the better... Sometimes you get lucky and get them to eat prepared foods.. most of the time you are not. If you own a mandarin, lined wrasse or any other fish that hunts and destroys pods and tiny inverts I wouldn't even consider getting one due to natural food competition.
Another reason they don't ship well is since they bury themselves in the sand.... they get stuck in a bag and shipped to America and the entire trip they are trying to burrow in the bottom of a box inside of a bag... does not end well.
If you are stuck on getting this fish, scout one out that has been at the LFS for a while... make sure it is fat and happy and put a down payment on it, or buy it and have them hold it for a while. Have them try to feed it different foods while they still have it.... if it dies you're not out a bunch of cash... if it eats and gets fat and looks healthy after a while... take it home.
aquaknight
Active Member
IMO the single most important factor when buying a Leopard wrasse, or any sand-burying wrasse for that matter, is to very closely inspect the mouth/jaw of the fish. Because it is impossible to ship fish with sand, or for most wholesalers/distributors to keep tanks with sand for these guys, they are often relentless in their attempt to bury themselves in tanks without sand. This more often then not results in them damaging their mouths. For any high-metabolism/pod-eater, this is death sentence when they can't eat.
As mentioned above, a 65gal should be large enough for a leopard wrasse, pending there isn't competition for food.
As mentioned above, a 65gal should be large enough for a leopard wrasse, pending there isn't competition for food.
kraylen
Member
Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3203385
IMO the single most important factor when buying a Leopard wrasse, or any sand-burying wrasse for that matter, is to very closely inspect the mouth/jaw of the fish. Because it is impossible to ship fish with sand, or for most wholesalers/distributors to keep tanks with sand for these guys, they are often relentless in their attempt to bury themselves in tanks without sand. This more often then not results in them damaging their mouths. For any high-metabolism/pod-eater, this is death sentence when they can't eat.
As mentioned above, a 65gal should be large enough for a leopard wrasse, pending there isn't competition for food.
Yes, forgot to mention the bare bottom issue as well. Good lookin' out.
http:///forum/post/3203385
IMO the single most important factor when buying a Leopard wrasse, or any sand-burying wrasse for that matter, is to very closely inspect the mouth/jaw of the fish. Because it is impossible to ship fish with sand, or for most wholesalers/distributors to keep tanks with sand for these guys, they are often relentless in their attempt to bury themselves in tanks without sand. This more often then not results in them damaging their mouths. For any high-metabolism/pod-eater, this is death sentence when they can't eat.
As mentioned above, a 65gal should be large enough for a leopard wrasse, pending there isn't competition for food.
Yes, forgot to mention the bare bottom issue as well. Good lookin' out.
mskillerreef
Member
I've had a female leaopard wrasse in my 20 gallon with 6 other fish for 6 months now. She couldn't be happier! Like they were saying though, you must feed enough. Mine eats and picks non stop but gets fed alot since I must do spotfeedings 3 times/day with my blueberry gorg. Iv'e never seen my wrasse bury in the sand or mess with it, that shouldn't be an issue. She has grown fast and now has colorful stripes on her face!
