Leopard Wrasse for a 50?

[Northwest_Scapes_]

Hello! So I've been really interested in some sort of reef safe wrasse for a 50g tank I'm building and yes, I do know their hard but I feel like the setup would suit it well and I have the right understanding to keep one. So here's a little background of the tank: The tank is a 50g Acrylic, dimensions are 36"L x 15"W x 20"H. It's going to be a Mixed Macro tank, so plenty of spaces for pods. The stocking i plan on having are a small group of Longspine Cardinals and a pair of OSFF.

LiveAquaria recommends 50gal minimum, but I know sometimes they can be a bit spotty with the info, so does anyone who has kept one before have any thoughts on this? It would most likely go in after the Cardinals, and I hope in theory the Cardinals will help it acclimate better.

 

[sfin52]

The only one I know of is the ornate.

 

[Northwest_Scapes_]

The other one LA has listed on their site is the Blue Star, do you think either of the two would do well?

 

[sfin52]

Super Star Of The Reef: The Blue Star Leopard Wrasse–Macropharyngodon bipartitus

Male and female Macropharyngodon bipartitus in the author’s aquarium. The Blue Star Leopard Wrasse, also referred to as the Divided Wrasse, Vermiculite Wrasse (as well as a few other common names) is one of thirteen species of leopard wrasse in...

www.reef2reef.com

.

 

[Tamberav]

I would think it might eventually outgrow those footprint dimensions. It is the similar to a 22g I had, just taller.

I kept a tiny blue star in a 25g for a year, she is in my 80 now... and has grown from 1.5 inches maybe when I got her to about 3 inches now over period of 2 years. She is very active/zoomy

It's probably fine though. Macro and gorgs can help make use of vertical space and having good rockwork.

 

[Pistol Peet]

Hello! So I've been really interested in some sort of reef safe wrasse for a 50g tank I'm building and yes, I do know their hard but I feel like the setup would suit it well and I have the right understanding to keep one. So here's a little background of the tank: The tank is a 50g Acrylic, dimensions are 36"L x 15"W x 20"H. It's going to be a Mixed Macro tank, so plenty of spaces for pods. The stocking i plan on having are a small group of Longspine Cardinals and a pair of OSFF.

LiveAquaria recommends 50gal minimum, but I know sometimes they can be a bit spotty with the info, so does anyone who has kept one before have any thoughts on this? It would most likely go in after the Cardinals, and I hope in theory the Cardinals will help it acclimate better.

I have keep several reef safe wrasse 50 gallon set up your talking about is fine just make sure there is a thick enough sand bed for it too sleep in. I currently have a melanarous wrasse and a ornate lepored wrasse a Harlequin Tusk wrasse and a dragon wrasse not all in a 50 gallon of course...

 

[Northwest_Scapes_]

Thanks! Yes,

I have keep several reef safe wrasse 50 gallon set up your talking about is fine just make sure there is a thick enough sand bed for it too sleep in. I currently have a melanarous wrasse and a ornate lepored wrasse a Harlequin Tusk wrasse and a dragon wrasse not all in a 50 gallon of course...

Thank you! Yes, I am making sure to have a good size sand bed, I just hope I do well with him / her depending on which i get

 

[Northwest_Scapes_]

I would think it might eventually outgrow those footprint dimensions. It is the similar to a 22g I had, just taller.

I kept a tiny blue star in a 25g for a year, she is in my 80 now... and has grown from 1.5 inches maybe when I got her to about 3 inches now over period of 2 years. She is very active/zoomy

It's probably fine though. Macro and gorgs can help make use of vertical space and having good rockwork.

Ah, thank you for your input. Depending on how things go, I could grow it out and trade it in or I might in the near future upgrade the tank, I'm not sure for now though

 

[Pistol Peet]

Thanks! Yes,

Thank you! Yes, I am making sure to have a good size sand bed, I just hope I do well with him / her depending on which i get

If you get the leopard and it hides in the sand bed right away for a day or 2 it is completely normal just make sure on day three or so u see it come out to eat. They can also go into hiding for up to a week from time to time perfectly normal don't panic if it disappeared for a fee day's.

 

[Northwest_Scapes_]

I did hear about this, I did keep a Fairy wrasse in the past, so im not familiar with them diving into the sand bed. Thank you for your experience, it really helps a lot!

 

[sfin52]

Did you get one

 

[Northwest_Scapes_]

Did you get one

Not yet unfortunately, the 50 has a ton of internal cracks between the panels that the polish made more clear. I'm upgrading to a 68 so which ever species I get will have a significate amount of more swimming room

 

[OrionN]

A pair of Leopard Wrasse should do OK in a 50 gal tank, especially smaller species like Black Leopard or Potter Leopard. The Black Leopard is the smallest of the Leopard Wrasses.
IME, initially, it may be difficult to get them establish. However once established they are hardy and eat a variety of food, include pellets and frozen. It is easy to feed them once they are established. I had experiences with Potter, Black, Meleagris, Bipartius and Ornate at various time in the past.
Female Black Leopard

Male Black Leopard

Female Meleagris Leopard

Male Meleagris Leopard

Male Potter Leopard