Melanurus Wrasse question???

spotted jawfish · Mar 17, 2013

Any one have success with Melanurus Wrasse in Bare Bottom Tanks? I want add one to my thank if is possible.

Thanks

daaznmofo · Mar 17, 2013

I have one with a bb.

spotted jawfish · Mar 17, 2013

How long?

smoyer · Mar 17, 2013

If you have plenty of LR they will be fine. They will find a cave.

Rabidgoose · Mar 18, 2013

They are sand sleepers and really should be kept as such. They also bury when frightened so I think for longevity sake at least a small container with 2-3 inches of sand should be used.

Dowtish · Mar 18, 2013

I would not suggest doing this either. Long term it just seems mean.

bct15 · Mar 18, 2013

They need sand, what i see people do with bb tanks is add a tupperware container of sand to their tank for the wrasse to use. Needs to be a few inches deep, and a diameter at least a few times wider than the fish's length.

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Reef Pets · Mar 18, 2013

If you can put a Tupperware bowl of sand behind your rock work then the wrasse will hide and sleep in that bowl of sand. It doesn't have to be anything large, just enough for your wrasse to hide in.

smoyer · Mar 18, 2013

I think that having sand for them is the best environment for them but I won't go as far as to say that they need sand to survive. Wrasses are highly adaptable and I have seen many species do well in bare bottom tanks. You can try any of these methods and if one works great but results for each fish will likely very.

sanchoy · Mar 23, 2013

I had 2 bad experiences with Mel wrasse. Both devoured all my hermits and snails. Not reef safe guaranteed. Both were large

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chort55 · Mar 23, 2013

sanchoy said:
I had 2 bad experiences with Mel wrasse. Both devoured all my hermits and snails. Not reef safe guaranteed. Both were large

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They are reef (coral) safe, just not invert safe.... don't blame the wrasse for its nature, look into your research (or lack of) before buying.... but then again you didn't learn your lesson after the 1st one and decided to try a 2nd and still blame it on the fish :crossedlips:

Spotted jawfish:
I personally would not put a sand dwelling wrasse in a tank with absolutely no sand. However, as some have mentioned you can add a container with a few inches of sand that is atleast a couple inches bigger then the wrasses adult size and that would be alot better then no sand at all, and your wrasse will be alot happier. Don't be surprised tho if you need to "top off" the sand periodically though, and find sand around the tank with this method either.