Leopard wrasse yes or no?

[xxkenny90xx]

Are they good reef dwellers? Do they hide all day (I've watched them swim actively but I read they hide alot)? Id really like to have one but my lfs said they will kill inverts, but my research has said otherwise...

 

[Journeyman]

Are they good reef dwellers? Do they hide all day (I've watched them swim actively but I read they hide alot)? Id really like to have one but my lfs said they will kill inverts, but my research has said otherwise...

Mine is really active and out all the time. One of my most visible swimmers. Aggressive feeder as well. That may be a personality thing.

 

[Xam]

I've had a female leopard wrasse for only a few weeks but shes been a model citizen so far.

She hides early (just when my lights start to dim) and comes out late (2 hours after they come on) so yes they hide, but shes been a joy to watch so far.

She nips at things like an angel would, but seems to be more surgical about it. My flame will nip and corals will close, but the leopard nips and they dont so I'm not sure exactly what is happening but shes far less intrusive than the flame.

Hope that helps. I'm sure someone with more time with one will chime in.

 

[lolmatt]

If you get a healthy one and you have a sand bed, they're easily my favorite reef fish and most are model citizens.

 

[reefrf]

One of my all time favorites. I have several in a 250g. As stated best to have a sand bed.

 

[road_runner]

Been keeping leopard wrasses for years. They are hardy.
Had couple that changed to super male..beautiful fish.
Good personality during the day. It will hid in the sand at night. If it hid in the sand during day it can be due to sickness or it's very scared.
Do not keep it unless you have fine grade sand. Otherwise poor animal will injure itself sd it tries to bury itself in the substrate...

 

[Mal11224]

I have one and it is always out swimming about. It picks things off of the rocks and I’ve seen it bury itself in the sand plenty of times. Never touches any of my cuc. Had him since the beginning, over two years.

 

[ca1ore]

Leopard wrasses are hardy once acclimated, but that initial acclimation process can be quite difficult. They don’t ship well, will hide in the sand initially and don’t always take well to aggressive tank mates - thus the ‘expert only’ designation. Some leopard species are easier; others much harder. They are pod hunters and will cruise and pick at the substrate all day. None of mine have been problematic with inverts - and I have 5 different species currently. I’d suggest a meleagris female as probably the best one to start with. You must have a sand bed for them to sleep in at night. Doesn’t have to be the sugar-fine stuff, but must be sand not crushed coral.

Ask the mods to move this to the reef fishes forum - you’ll get more expert opinions there.

 

[lolmatt]

I have many sand dwelling wrasses in special grade sand, so it need not be super fine.

I think the ornate leopard m ornatus is one of the hardiest and what I'd recommend for your first leopard. But buy local and make sure it's eating something before you buy it.

 

[mnml]

Mine is always out and about. Eats only frozen food though. ‍

 

[vwhitaker720]

So if you run bare bottom can you have one?

 

[ca1ore]

Nope.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I'm bummed that I passed on it at the lfs (maybe they still have it). I'll definately be looking into getting one, my sand is fine but not super fine (pacific northwest Beach sand) and I really need to add a few active swimmers to my 112g tank