Leopard Wrasse - Is this normal?

[Stew18]

I purchased a small Leopard Wrasse that was very healthy. I acclimated him and put him in my tank at 9pm last night. I had the light off when I did it. He immediately dove to the bottom of the tank and buried himself about an 1 inch under the sand (in about a second from hitting the water). I know its him cause a small part of his body is against the glass. It is now 12 hours later and I turned the light on 30 minutes ago and he is still there. Is this normal? Should I be concerned? Should I scoop him out of the sand?

Please help I really am excited about this fish and don't want to screw it up

 

[Cment]

Yes this is completely normal and by all means do NOT distrub the sand. Its a good sign if he dove in right away. He will come out when he feels safe. Have food ready at all times and try to get him eating as soon as possible. Youll need to feed multiple small meals a day, I typically feed new leopards 6 times a day. If you can get some live blackworms or live gut loaded brine to help youll be better off. Make sure he is with peaceful tank mates. To ensure long term success, youll need to do 2 rounds of prazipro treatment to deworm. (its reef safe)

 

[Cment]

What size is the tank, current fish list, age of tank? Do you have a fuge?

 

[Stew18]

I have a 50 gallon all in one with a Tunze protein skimmer. It has been running for months and most of the rock and stuff was moved from an established tank

I have a.......

Small watchman goby
Royal gramma
Matter file fish
And a tiny dwarf angel

 

[Stew18]

And this leopard is something I've always wanted. Hopefully I'm doing this right. I'm relatively new. I do know that the leopard had been eating frozen for months at the fish store

 

[Cment]

the dawf angel may be aggressive so watch out. Leopards hunt all day for food specifically pods. I would, if you havent already, seed your tank with them bc when healthy leopards can knock the population out pretty quick. Look at some of our sponsors, they have some good deals out there. I like algae barn, you can get some phyto too.

 

[Cment]

And this leopard is something I've always wanted. Hopefully I'm doing this right. I'm relatively new. I do know that the leopard had been eating frozen for months at the fish store

They can be a very difficult fish at first and not really for a new reefer. Its good that its been eating frozen thats a HUGE step in the right direction. I would make sure to get the same exact food it was eating. Also find out if the store you got it from de-wormed her or not.

 

[Stew18]

Ok updade......... And thank you Cment for your help and encouragement.

Just to clarify I have been in the hobby for a year now - so yes still a new guy

He in the last hour has came out. I fed some frozen right away and he ate a couple bites. He has been swimming along the bottom and occasionally picking at the sand. A few times he has just sat on the bottom. But he seems to be very curious about his surroundings but is staying close to the font of the tank and on the sand bed. So far so good?

 

[Stew18]

here is a pic of him. Did the pic turn out?

 

[neupane00]

completely normal. mine didnt come out for 5 days.. and now healthy as a horse!

 

[wowkingjames]

FYI, do you have a cover? The Leopard Wrasse has a tendency to jump out of aquarium.

 

[Stew18]

Yes I have a mesh cover and wow it is a beautiful fish!

 

[Stew18]

Also i did put in a container of pods in yesterday and was told to do that once a month

 

[Cment]

Ok updade......... And thank you Cment for your help and encouragement.

Just to clarify I have been in the hobby for a year now - so yes still a new guy

He in the last hour has came out. I fed some frozen right away and he ate a couple bites. He has been swimming along the bottom and occasionally picking at the sand. A few times he has just sat on the bottom. But he seems to be very curious about his surroundings but is staying close to the font of the tank and on the sand bed. So far so good?

No problem I hope the best for her. It's good that she came out and is eating. Only time will tell how she fairs. Continue to monitor her and keep feeding as much as she'll eat. Watch water quality and if you need to do water changes do it at night when she goes to sleep to reduce stress level

 

[eatbreakfast]

Perfectly normal behavior, really for any sand burying wrasse.

Definitely make sure to use a dewormer, such as prazipro, leopard wrasses are quite sensitive to these parasites.

The first few weeks are the hardest for leopards to settle, but once used to everything can be quite hardy.

 

[Stew18]

I have these copepods that i got at the fish store. I was told to put in half the container now and half in another week. Is that right or should i put the whole thing in for the wrasse? Also, how often should I add these pods? Thanks

 

[eatbreakfast]

Those are fine, but after a few weeks shouldn't be necessary. The instructions you got, or all at once, doesn't really matter.

 

[Stew18]

I don't have a refugeum. I have a all in one tank so i wonder if they will all just get eaten and not reproduce?

 

[eatbreakfast]

The back compartment will serve to a degree as a refugium for pods.

 

[Stew18]

Should I put them in the back compartment or dump them in the tank? And can you ever put to many in?