Leopard wrasse health questions.

[Kershaw]

So I bought a leapored wrasse and treated with prazi and nothing else. No QT. she is 6 months in my tank and doing great. But I have a few questions. She eats everything and picks on rocks. Eats flakes and frozen food.
1. How long have you all been able to keep these wrasses alive and healthy ?

2. What should I watch for ?
3. Is it true that they only live about a year in captivity?

I have never had signs of Ich or any other desises in my tank other then fin rot on a tang that healed. Thanks.

 

[spartanman22]

I've had my black leopard for almost 2 years now. He hasn't grown much in size, but he is incredibly healthy. Mine has gone through periods where he'd disappear for a few days. At first I panicked but eventually realized he'd come back out when he got hungry enough.

I have not ever heard the 1 year lifespan. I'm sure most leopard owners here have exceeded that.

 

[Kershaw]

I've had my black leopard for almost 2 years now. He hasn't grown much in size, but he is incredibly healthy. Mine has gone through periods where he'd disappear for a few days. At first I panicked but eventually realized he'd come back out when he got hungry enough.

I have not ever heard the 1 year lifespan. I'm sure most leopard owners here have exceeded that.

Good to know thanks. I have become very attached to my little wrasse

 

[spartanman22]

They're awesome fish I'm tossing around the idea of adding a few more.

 

[Kershaw]

I want a black leapored. But my wife dose not want me setting up a qt. so I am afraid to add any fish. I believe my tank is Ich free so don't want to risk it

 

[eatbreakfast]

I've never heard the one year theory. I know of a meleagris that's six years old.

 

[evolved]

I've never heard the one year theory.

Me either.

A healthy leopard should live 8-10 years. However, given the age is typically a best guess at purchase, the duration you might expect to keep them will be variable.

 

[Kershaw]

There is an artical I will try and find the is a detailed guid for keeping these wrasses. And says the it is considered lucky to keep them a year. I'll try and find and post a link

 

[evolved]

There is an artical I will try and find the is a detailed guid for keeping these wrasses. And says the it is considered lucky to keep them a year. I'll try and find and post a link

I think you need to find new sources...

 

[Kershaw]

Well I can't find it. Reef keeping website says 5 years.

 

[Waters]

There is an artical I will try and find the is a detailed guid for keeping these wrasses. And says the it is considered lucky to keep them a year. I'll try and find and post a link

When was the article published? A lot has changed in a short amount of time regarding care for some of the more "difficult" fish. Fish that were considered close to impossible ten years ago and now considered easy if given the right care. I don't know exactly how old my leopard is but I have definitely had him over a year

 

[Kershaw]

I am Not sure. I am unable to find it. Maybe I miss read it. Either way I'm glad that they live longer then a year.

 

[Naiad]

Mine where 3 three when something killed them. Fat and healthy. They are really becoming easier to keep with the new knowledge and better shipping practices.

 

[Leicester56]

A bit late on this thread but I thought I would just chime in for general knowledge. I have a female blue star leopard wrasse that I have had for about 3 years now. I have also recently acquired a male of the same species that a friend has had in his tank for I believe 4 years. This can be a very rewarding species to keep. I agree with a previous post to this thread about shopping conditions. From what I understand, the mouths on leopard wrasses are very delicate and prone to injury during shipping. Provided you acquire a specimen that has been properly shipped, they can be very hardy. One caveat- I think it really helps to have a mature tank with a decent pod population so that the wrasse can feed on those while you are transitioning them to frozen food.

 

[ca1ore]

I know it's an old thread, but I have three leopards that are coming up on 5 years in my tank. Since they were decent size when I got them, I'd say they were probably around 6 years old. No signs that they are aging out. The challenge with these fish are two fold. First, they don't ship/acclimate well and some will refuse to eat and disappear permanently into the sand. Second, even with prazipro treatments, some lose weight even though they are eating fine. I've had particular issues with weight loss in the black species. Once one gets that pinched look behind the head it's a gonner.