Leopard Wrasse

[lovecrzreef]

Well hello there!!
I was looking for more insight regarding the leopard wrasses. I have tried to research them and have found some contradicting information which I was hoping to get clarification on. My LGS has a female that I am really interested in and has been eating frozen foods. However I have heard that these are really hard fish to keep and can't seem to find the reason behind this. Could someone advise on what makes these hard to keep? My LFS says they're hardy and fairly easy yet the internet states both. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[TJ's Reef]

In an established or mature tank I think they are very easy and quite hardy, and one of my favorites. They are interesting, colorful and generally very peaceful community Reef Fish. They have a tendency to not ship well but once acclimated and eating are excellent candidates for any Reeftank without small ornamental Shrimp. My avatar is a Ornate Leopard Wrasse I've had for several years and gets along well with my other Wrasses (Melenurus, Solar and Cyanapleura)

Cheers, Todd

 

[lovecrzreef]

Thank you so much! So far we only have a Flasher Carpenter Wrasse and I think if we do end up adding the Leopard that would complete the wrasses we would keep.

 

[reeffirstaid]

Leopard wrasses can be difficult keepers, for several reasons. One, is that they are apprehensive when taking frozen or prepared foods, (which it sounds like this specimen is taking frozen) and they are rather shy, and easily frightened. In addition to that, like other wrasses, they are prolific jumpers. To clear up gaps in nutrition, I would soak the wrasses' food in Selcon. Also, make sure your tank is mature, with amble copepods and amphipods for the wrasse to feed on. Just make 100% sure you don't have a species in your tank, that may harass the leopard wrasse, as this leads to stress, reluctance to feed and in many cases, demise.

 

[ReefPiracy]

They don't have much of a way for protection. Stocking list is always something to look at with any type of fish. Thing is getting it to eat and then getting it to eat everything. Then they can just belly up for one day without a reason. I have two and are doing great. Use live brine shrimp to start feeding. Selcon to enrich.

 

[lovecrzreef]

Thanks guys for the help!! We have a stocking list we had made when we first started which we are slowly completing. Wrasses weren't really on our list but I saw this one in person and absolutely loved her! She had just been shipped and placed in the tank when I got there and she was out swimming around and eating frozen mysis shrimp. I didn't want to take her home until we did more research on her just in case. We haven't had any problems with our fish so far and definitely want to keep it that way.

 

[TJ's Reef]

I forgot to state it but you probably have already read their requirements for a 2-3" minimum fine sand bed. Though they will accept a sand bed in a container placed into tank. Mine will compete with my five Tangs for Nori especially the Red and Brown.

Cheers, Todd

 

[lovecrzreef]

Btw this is our list:
Orange spotted goby with tiger pistol
Sleeper banded goby
Green chromis
Banggai cardinal
Carpenter Flasher wrasse
True percula clown fish
Yellow tang
Blue hippo tang
Blue throat trigger

Our LFS told us they would all be ok together and so far no problems, granted we haven't added the clown, yellow tang, blue hippo, or trigger yet.

 

[lovecrzreef]

We do have a pretty deep sand bed so that won't be a problem

 

[Triggreef]

They don't ship well at all, & don't handle meds well. Many people bypass quarantine altogether. I wouldn't suggest that at all. I had very poor results with prazi although many suggest it. I had many leopards die in qt during the second dose, & they were eating& otherwise behaving well. I only got 3 out of a dozen or so through quarantine using that method, & those 3 were from blue zoo & live Aquaria, but most of those losses were from those same distributors. I then changed qt methods by replacing prazi with metro or paracide-d. & just doing tank transfer method after the treatment. 3 for 3 through qt that way. One of those 3 passed unexplained 4 days after being added to display, but that was a potters & they are significantly more delicate than the other 4 you generally see around. Right now, I have 5 in my display, along with 6 halichoerus & a couple fairy wrasses. My one male leopard is the king.

 

[eatbreakfast]

They also arrive on their own sleep schedule, which is often quite out of sync with our lighting and feeding schedules, but the one at your LFS seems pretty well acclimated.

 

[Naiad]

You have gotten most of the information all ready lol. I would just be sure that the wrasse is maintaining weight as they sometimes come in with internal parasites. Any good lfs should be willing to hold a new fish for a few days with a deposit. What size tank are we talking about? Just checking because you list two tangs. The tangs are different enough to get along fine if the tank is large enough but a tang that feels squashed may become very aggressive to all its tank mates.

 

[Triggreef]

Also idk if mentioned, but you should be able to feed often. When I was qt them, I tried to do at least 4 times a day. & even though they are fat& happy in my display I still feed just as much if not more.

 

[lovecrzreef]

Is the feeding true to all wrasses? I didn't know as we were iffy on wrasses so we didn't do that extensive of research on them. She is just SO pretty that I'm wanting to learn more lol

 

[lovecrzreef]

Feeding as the frequency I just saw it was kinda vague. I really really appreciate all the help

 

[Naiad]

Not all wrasse need frequent feeding but leopards do. Like mandarins they spend most of their time eating off the live rock. They eat a lot of smaller foods and have a high metabolism so feeding more than once a day is a good idea

 

[lovecrzreef]

Ok, we usually feed twice a day (morning & night). I guess the hubs earned himself a new chore during his lunch break haha

 

[lovecrzreef]

On a completely different note, does the compatibility on the stocking list seem to be ok? Out LFS said it was but it never hurts to double check.

 

[Marshall O]

On a completely different note, does the compatibility on the stocking list seem to be ok? Out LFS said it was but it never hurts to double check.

No problem I see with adding a Leopard.

 

[Triggreef]

I don't see any issues on the stocking list, but depends on size of the tank mostly. I would do the leopard sooner than later as sometimes they get bullied a little. The tangs should be added at the same time for the last amount of fighting.