First Cleaner Wrasse

[Z06-Hec]

Bought my first cleaner wrasse this weekend and let him loose in my tank.
I already have a Yellow Wrasse, and Six line wrasse. The yellow is almost 3 inches or so and the six line is about 1.5 inches and both have been in tank for maybe 6 months or so and healthy.

So I see a cleaner wrasse and get him... Day 1, looks fine swimming and exploring the tank (6 foot, 150 gal). Next day while at work i can see my Hippo Tang chasing him and bothering him most of the day. Night fall comes wrasse is laying on the sand exposed and I am getting worried. Lights are out and i see my giant bristle worms coming out and one is literally on the wrasse. I shine a light and the worm hides but i can see the needles sticking on the wrasse and the wrasse just breathing not moving.
So at this time I'm upset thinking the wrasse is done. Wake up this morning and lights start to come on... I then see my purple tang swimming still and the cleaner on the purple getting to work!
Woo hoo... i thought he was a goner, but hes up and working!

 

[Clarksski]

Good ending to the story...I hope it was just a rough start for the wrasse!

 

[Z06-Hec]

So I see that nightly the wrasse goes to sleep in the same spot which to me is weird... That spot is literally exposed, on top of the sand bed just out in the open leaning against a rock. Nightly the worms come out and check on the wrasse as it is food for them. Day light back to swimming around and getting to work

 

[Salty1962]

Try to get it feeding on fish food asap!

 

[NeverlosT]

Try to get it feeding on fish food asap!

agreed, the path to success with these suckers is getting them to eat normal food in addition to their cleaning duties. Good luck!

 

[Z06-Hec]

As far as i can tell he is eating the small pellets i throw in. Lets see in a week how he is doing, so far he looks good.

 

[4FordFamily]

Frozen is far superior.