Melanurus Wrasse introduction

rja · Jul 28, 2023

Hey all,
I just introduced this M. Wrasse to my 75 gallon DT from my LFS yesterday. It’s been here under the sand ever since. Is it okay? I have read up that they can stay buried for weeks before adapting to a new tanks light cycle. It’s fresh off the plane as of yesterday morning as well.

1112-425XL · Jul 28, 2023

Mine goes under every night 5 min before lights out. Comes out 30 min before lights on. I could set my clock by him. He's under the sand13 1/2 hrs a day. He has never stayed under for days at a time, but I don't think it would be a problem especially if it's scared and new to the environment.

rja · Jul 28, 2023

1112-425XL said:
Mine goes under every night 5 min before lights out. Comes out 30 min before lights on. I could set my clock by him. He's under the sand13 1/2 hrs a day. He has never stayed under for days at a time, but I don't think it would be a problem especially if it's scared and new to the environment.

Yeah he was hiding under the sand at the LFS. So he was clearly in an uncomfortable spot to begin with. I hope in due time, he gets acclimated and able to be fed. In the meantime, if he is out at night, I have an array of CUC i am willing to let him eat if he so needs to.

Tcook · Jul 28, 2023

Totally normal. I’ve had new wrasses bury for 2 weeks.

rja · Jul 29, 2023

Tcook said:
Totally normal. I’ve had new wrasses bury for 2 weeks.

I am a little worried as today it’s just sloughed over on its side on the sand bed in a totally different spot. Maybe it’s still acclimating? It did not respond to food at all.

Crabby48 · Jul 29, 2023

Just off the plane? As in shipped from collection or just a short trip across the USA? If fish was just collected then it can take along time before it learns our times and adjust to tank life. There is a chance he won’t eat frozen food at first. They are hunters and he will eat pods and such first

mrpontiac80 · Jul 29, 2023

My Melanorus is always front and center and yes I could also set my clocks based on his sleep schedule. It’s pretty amazing really. But over the years I have had him in different tanks…. 1st tank, qt, back to first tank, now my current tank. Each time he was moved he stayed hidden for at minimum of 1 week. I think 3 weeks once.

rja · Jul 29, 2023

Crabby48 said:
Just off the plane? As in shipped from collection or just a short trip across the USA? If fish was just collected then it can take along time before it learns our times and adjust to tank life. There is a chance he won’t eat frozen food at first. They are hunters and he will eat pods and such first

Just collected. My fish guy had just gotten him from the airport. He is breathing normal. Just seems to be asleep. I know he is getting up and moving because he is in a new spot every time I look at the tank. Today is his first day “out”

rja · Aug 6, 2023

I wanted to give an update to anyone with this problem in the future:

The wrasse stayed hidden for over a week and each day appeared laying on the sand for a few minutes like it was dead. This morning, I went to my tank to see the wrasse swimming around with my other fish and acting a little funny but swimming around like it had not been buried in the sand for a week none the less. I think it is totally okay and just a product of being collected, shipped, put in a store, driven to my home, and put into my tank, all over the course of a few days. I'm happy but alas, mileage may vary!

Bozburn · Aug 6, 2023

Yeah sometimes it just takes time. Mine misses dinner half the time because I get home late and he is already buried.

1112-425XL · Aug 6, 2023

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear of progress!

mrpontiac80 · Aug 6, 2023

Good to hear. Once they get used to the tank it will likely always be out, but even then they get spooked and hide. Mine will bury into the sand anytime I do something inside the tank.

rja · Aug 6, 2023

mrpontiac80 said:
Good to hear. Once they get used to the tank it will likely always be out, but even then they get spooked and hide. Mine will bury into the sand anytime I do something inside the tank.

Trans ammmmmm whats yo pleasure!?

Yeah they seem like very passive wrasses lol. Hopefully he adjusts well. I do not have much experience beyond the clowns in my biocube which were born and raised in a tank lol