Leopard Wrase

pumarjr · Mar 8, 2012

Ok, I know caring for a Leopard Wrase can be a pain the **** but, yesterday I bought one, enjoyed him for a couple hours, turned my attention else where. Later that night my lights went to dusk mode, I thought, let's see that Leopard Wrase. well. that fish has completely disappeared. she's not in the overflow, drainpipe, floor, under the cabinets, nor in my pocket. this sucker gives David Blane a run for his money. I knew that I was going to have a sensitive fish, I didn't know I bought a magician.

Reef Breeders · Mar 8, 2012

Dont they burrow under the sand?

allabout · Mar 8, 2012

Yeah I recently read recently that they will burrow in the sand for quite some time before reappearing. It was a back issue of TFH magazine.

Magical Reef · Mar 8, 2012

At least you were able to enjoy him for a little bit. I bought one a few months ago. after I acclimated him and put him in the tank he immediately burrowed in the sand and I've never seen him since. I enjoyed him for literally one or two seconds

ahvrivera · Mar 8, 2012

They will burrow under the sand at dusk and will re-appear at dawn. Dont be alarmed if you dont see him for a day. they tend to hide until they are acclimated to their surroundings. They are good for any pests also. flat worms, round worms etc. mine like mysid and are also eating flake. Great addition. good luck.

swannyson7 · Mar 8, 2012

Mine vanished for almost 2 weeks when I first got him before reappearing. I chalked it up as a loss and then out of the blue, he decided to come out to say hello.

ahvrivera · Mar 8, 2012

swannyson7 said:
Mine vanished for almost 2 weeks when I first got him before reappearing. I chalked it up as a loss and then out of the blue, he decided to come out to say hello.

My potters did that. not as long but it was like having a new fish in the tank when he appeared

maharsreef · Mar 8, 2012

Yes, they will hide for up to two weeks. They are amazing. I've had mine for 5 years. Eats everything. She is sooo fat, she looks pregnant.

boehm742 · Mar 8, 2012

My Hawaiian leopard wrasse hid for a couple days in the sand bed. Didn't take long for him to warm up to being out and about. I think my anthias always being out made him feel more 'secure'. Here he is 3 months later. Still hard to get him to hold still, he's always flying thru caves looking for pods.

evolved · Mar 8, 2012

Completely normal for the genus.

As others have sad, they sleep under the sand. It is normal for them to disappear in the sand for 1-2 weeks upon transition to a new system. Give them time to adjust; do NOT go dig them up. If you're lucky, he/she will suddenly appear one day.

Best of luck.

MyBoyGus · Mar 8, 2012

swannyson7 said:
Mine vanished for almost 2 weeks when I first got him before reappearing. I chalked it up as a loss and then out of the blue, he decided to come out to say hello.

This seems to be a common occurrence with Leopards. Two of my three hid for a few days before appearing, and then only for short periods. Though soon enough to being out almost from lights on to lights off.

Please tell me you have a covered tank?

pumarjr · Mar 8, 2012

Awesome, thx, these's hope still. I still have not seem him, but with the response so positive, I can't hope but to be optimistic.

twinspots_goby · Mar 8, 2012

My bluestar leopard wrasse hided for up to 3 weeks before I see him when lights are on. I found out that he's been out in the middle of the night when lights were out. So basically lived in opposite schedule for 3 weeks. lol

k2parkstar · Mar 8, 2012

pumarjr said:
Awesome, thx, these's hope still. I still have not seem him, but with the response so positive, I can't hope but to be optimistic.

There's no reason to worry. Just like everyone else has said this is typical for them. Mine leopard was out and about for a couple hours after i bought her, then poof! no where to be seen. It took 2-3 weeks for her to get settled, now she's out all the time. She's eats mysis and is fat and happy as can be. The do disappear every night at lights out, which is when they bury in the sand to go to sleep. Then they'll reappear later after the lights come on. Give it time, they are awesome fish!

Aquaph8 · Mar 8, 2012

Their days and nights get mixed up and it takes a while for them to get used to your schedule. Think about it this way, they probably go through three time zones before they get to you. Being under the sand they dont really notice the change right away, all they know is its light when they wake up and what time theyre used to going to bed.