Lubbocks fairy wrasse

melypr1985 · May 30, 2016

Hi guys! we recently got some "assorted fairy wrasses" in and I'm wanting to add one to my display tank there. The one I'm interested in is a Lubbocks fairy. My problem is that the display doesn't have much sand in the bottom (something I hope to fix in the future). I'm wondering if this wrasse needs sand to sleep in, or if he will be fine without being able to bury himself at night or when scared. There's tons of live rock in this tank and plenty of places to hide.
160 gallon tank? Not too sure because nobody remembers. I really need to take measurements.

Tank inhabitants include:

6 Squampini anthias
3 large blue chromis
3 blue eye cardinals
1 sunburst anthia
1 chevron tang
1 starry blenny
1 geometric hawkfish
2 lighting maroon clowns (juvis)

I think that's all of them. What do yall think? Will he be ok without enough sand to bury into? I think he will be fine with the other fish, but figured I'd include them in case there are any that might cause friction.

Greenstreet.1 · May 30, 2016

If I remember correctly I don't think they need sand. Fairy wrasse don't sleep in the sand

melypr1985 · May 30, 2016

Greenstreet.1 said:
If I remember correctly I don't think they need sand. Fairy wrasse don't sleep in the sand

See?! That's what I thought too! My co-worker sat there today and told me he was pretty sure they did need sand and that they were one of the ones that are known for it. I'm going... "umm... No I dont think that's right" And that's why I'm here.. to settle the argument.

Greenstreet.1 · May 30, 2016

You are right as far as I know

Giddyup · May 30, 2016

My first one jumped before I built screens. My current one and the one that jumped both sleep in the sand. Too lazy to upload pic, borrowed this from net as my two look just like this pic.... Sold as Lubbock wrasse.

Greenstreet.1 · May 30, 2016

That pic don't look like a lubbock so I would need to see the wrasse that you say go into the sand and sleep.

I could be wrong like I said but I don't think so out of all the one that I had and tried never went into the sand not even to hide.

tj w · May 30, 2016

Sand not needed for these guys

Joshky · May 30, 2016

Giddyup said:
My first one jumped before I built screens. My current one and the one that jumped both sleep in the sand. Too lazy to upload pic, borrowed this from net as my two look just like this pic.... Sold as Lubbock wrasse.

That's a Red Head Solon Fairy Wrasse, and to my knowledge none of the fairy wrasses bury themselves. I guess anything is possible though?

Duke4Life · May 30, 2016

Like mentioned, no sand required, they form a mucous cocoon at night.

melypr1985 · May 30, 2016

Thanks guys! I'll make sure to steer the customers away from him since I have to wait until out Big sale on saturday before I can claim him for the display. We have plenty of other fairy wrasses to sell, so hopefully it wont be hard to do

Maritimer · May 30, 2016

Be very careful, Meredith - these guys can be trouble . . .

They're dangerously beautiful! (>__<)

Just about everyone above is correct - Lubbock's, as with all fairy wrasses, spin a mucous cocoon in the rockwork to sleep at night. Lubbock's also have the ability to change color quite a bit; when he gets excited, that soft violet color coalesces into a series of blood-red blotches edged in electric blue, with the tail also going the color of fresh blood. The peachy tone on his forehead may go bone-white, as well. I've found that at these times, they can become a bit ... feisty . . . but I think you'll love him! It only lasts a few moments, and he'll be back to cruising about looking for the next snack.

~Bruce

maroun.c · May 30, 2016

One thing I would watch out for is the fact that it's your first wrass, might get a bit aggressive on be wrass additions. I added one later in the wrass list but must admit that he hasn't shown aggressive behavior so far but that could be due to the fact that Hes dominated by few more aggressive wrasses in my tank. Beautiful fish.

Greenstreet.1 · May 30, 2016

If you are going to be adding more fairy wrasse you should be ok just use an acc box.

Greenstreet.1 · May 30, 2016

maroun.c said:
One thing I would watch out for is the fact that it's your first wrass, might get a bit aggressive on be wrass additions. I added one later in the wrass list but must admit that he hasn't shown aggressive behavior so far but that could be due to the fact that Hes dominated by few more aggressive wrasses in my tank. Beautiful fish.

Did you use an acclimation box when you where adding the other wrasse any what type where they ?

4FordFamily · May 30, 2016

He does not need sand to bury

eatbreakfast · May 31, 2016

A lot of good advice so far.

Fairy, flasher, Wetmorella, Pseudocheilinus, and pink streaked wrasses do not bury at all.

All wrasses are jumpers, so a lid or cover of some sort is needed.

Lubbocks aren't terribly aggressive toward other wrasses usually, but there can be some variance within a species, so if more wrasses will be added in the future a social acclimation box is strongly recommended (plus, if customers see it they can be educated on how helpful they are).

FLAdaboy · May 31, 2016

I have a lubbocks, 6 line, and a melnarus. No issues with aggression and the only one that buries is the melnarus.

melypr1985 · May 31, 2016

Thanks guys! An acclimation box will be easy to get since we sell them in the store. The tank is set in the wall and is completely covered but making a screen top for it wont be difficult either. Better safe than sorry right? I'm glad for the tips and reassurance! Now I just have to hope that he doesn't sell during our big sale! It will take forever to get another in just for the show tank.

Giddyup · Jun 1, 2016

Wow... Didn't see forest through the trees.... My first Solar Wrasse fooled me then, perhaps I caught him hunting at daybreak, as he kicked up sand storms and I watched him go under rock work launching in, under, out of sand... He eventually jumped pre screens. With my latest Solar, I'll try the red lens flashlight at night to see if I can spot the cocoon.

Lninwa · Jun 5, 2016

Giddyup said:
My first one jumped before I built screens. My current one and the one that jumped both sleep in the sand. Too lazy to upload pic, borrowed this from net as my two look just like this pic.... Sold as Lubbock wrasse.

If you want to add sand do so by pouring in down a long plexi tube so it doesn't disperse all over