Tanaka's Pygmy Wrasse

[Cigar Sherlock]

I'm looking for a nano fish with great coloration and I found this particular fish (Tanaka's Pygmy Wrasse). Does anyone have any experience with these fish? The website I found shows it can be in a 10 gallon tank (I have a 20G L) and that it is very shy but reef friendly. Just looking for some info about the fish, things you have successfully fed yours, temperment, etc. Thanks!

 

[Aquaph8]

Ive heard they are very cryptic and most that own them dont see them all that often. Thats about all I know about them, hopefully someone else can help you out a little better.

 

[micromount]

I have one in my nano. Stays in hiding most of the day. My white LED's went out about 30 minutes ago and only the blue are on. Just came out of hiding.
I feed both Ocean Nutrition Formula 1 & 2 flakes in small pieces, Spectrum Small Fish Formula and also feed brine shrimp once a week.

 

[Cigar Sherlock]

Hey Micromount,

How long have you had it? How well did it acclimate? Did you drip acclimate and did you have any other fish in your tank before you introduced this one? I'm very interested in this little guy but obviously I have many questions

 

[evolved]

As stated, they're pretty darn hardy but can be a bit shy. If you have anything remotely aggressive in the tank that might pick on him, things won't fare well.

 

[sixty4tw]

Maybe I can be of some help. I just got one today! I've read a lot about them in the forums and it does seem they are usually shy. But I think that's often the result of putting them in a larger tank with many other fish and potentilly aggressive tankmates.

I just started a 27g cube nano tank (DIY, not a BioCube) and this is only the 2nd fish to go in. The first was my Yellow Watchman Goby. I recently moved and had been keeping the YWG in a 10g until my new tank cycled.

I'm lucky to have a great LFS here that quarantines all their new arrivals and I special ordered the Tanaka's Pygmy Wrasse. I saw him when they first got their order in and even went back a few days ago to be sure he was feeding.

He is very small (1.5") and will probably not even max out at 3". But I did see an adult Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse at an LFS recently that was a full 3" and very fat. So, I can see how even a 10g would be alright but I'm sure in will do well in your 20. My particular fish has great color and I hope it doesn't fade.

I brought it home today and used the float method (with the tank lights out) to acclimate him, removing approx. 1/3 cup of the bag water and replacing with 1/3 cup tank water about once every 8-10 minutes for a period of about 90 minutes. Drip might be better but I think if you take it slow this works fine. I released him into the DT and he went into a crevice (I have a lot of caves and overhangs in my aquascape) for abot 10 min. and then was cautiously exploring the tank. As expected he ventured into the (small) territory of the Yellow Watchman Goby who puffed himself up and gave him the "giant open mouth" posture (the YWG is about twice the size and mine, although territorial, is never really agressive) and this didn't seem to phase the Tanaka's at all! He spent the next few hours exploring the rockwork. Even more surprising I found him later exploring the open water areas and seemed to be getting a feel for where the glass was on all sides. The little fish does not seem at all intimidated by me. I've looked at him quite closely and he doesn't try to move away. Perhaps I am lucky and got a bold one. Maybe the general lack of other fish in the tank has something to do with it. But the acclimation went well and if they are "shy" at all it is more of a ase of their nature and not a matter of intimidation or skittishness. But we'll see. Today was day one, maybe he'll start hiding all the time later on...lol.

I gave him a little food today, a small amout of mysis and some Cyclop-eeze (the frozen kind) and he ate. But I know these fish also like to pick and nibble at the LR and since my tank is far from mature I will be sure to feed him well.

I decided to put this guy in as one of the first so he would perhaps be less shy when I add fish later on. My LFS is holding my next two fish. The next will be a Blue (MacNeill's) Assessor which I am adiing in about 3 weeks. The Possum Wrasses are said to have a very small bioload so I don't think 3 weeks is rushing it. Then, a month or so after that I will be putting in a Harptail Blenny.

I'll keep you posted and let you know how things go with my new Tanaka's and how he adjusts to the tank and future additions. I will also post a photo when I get a chance.

So far, I'm pleased. A very cool little fish that seems like it will have lots of personality.

Let us know if you get one!

Best regards...

 

[Cigar Sherlock]

Thanks Sixty for the information. I really like the coloration and design of this particular fish. I rarely ever hear about them and don't want to go with the typical clowns that seem to be plastered all over the nano world. I will most likely only have 2 fish in my 20 gallon, to keep the bioload down and to keep up with the inverts/snails that I enjoy as well. I will be keeping up with this posts for any pictures you place in the near future. Good luck with your new one!

 

[secretreefer]

As stated, they're pretty darn hardy but can be a bit shy. If you have anything remotely aggressive in the tank that might pick on him, things won't fare well.

this is true. i did have one and my fish just terrorized it until it perished. there was a ton of hiding places too. :sad:. unfortunately I had to go to work the morning i found him being bossed....

 

[sixty4tw]

Thanks Sixty for the information. I really like the coloration and design of this particular fish. I rarely ever hear about them and don't want to go with the typical clowns that seem to be plastered all over the nano world. I will most likely only have 2 fish in my 20 gallon, to keep the bioload down and to keep up with the inverts/snails that I enjoy as well. I will be keeping up with this posts for any pictures you place in the near future. Good luck with your new one!

Just wanted to update you. I will get some pictures over the weekend. Little guy is doing well. Seems very comfortable in my tank and he spends a reasonable amount of time cruising the rockwork. He hasn't been quite as bold as the first day but I still see him a lot. I agree with Micromount that they seem to avoid the very bright LED lighting. Mine goes off in late afternoon and at that time I have been feeding a little bit of Cyclo-peeze (I am using the frozen king that comes in a "stick" that you just dip for a few seconds) and that really seems to draw him out. Still they really do not feed in a "frenzy" style like many other fish. He is also eating some mysis in the morning. Seems to be getting along fine with the YWG too, no issues.

I agree with you about the clowns. They're just everywhere. Granted, you do see them out all the time and they are interesting to watch. But I also have seen some individuals that get very agressive and territorial even after being peaceful for several years.

What other fish are you thinking about for your 20g?

 

[Cigar Sherlock]

I am contemplating a Yasha Goby/pistol combo with another swimming fish that is yet to be determined. I have seriously considered the Tanaka as it doesn't seem to be in everyone elses tank and looks striking.