Typical six-line behavior?

[jmerideth1]

Was peeking into my tank last night and found my six-line wrasse tucked into a tiny hole in a rock. Checked on it several times and it never moved. I thought it might be dead. Woke up this morning too see it swimming happily about. So is this normal?

 

[3mm3]

Nothing to worry about. They all do that. Part of their survival plan.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Perfectly normal nighttime behavior.

 

[happyhourhero]

My six line's days basically all go like this.... Wake up a bit later than every one else> Cruise in and out of rockwork all day > Notice reflection > Spend the rest of the day posturing at reflection > Whites turn off > Cruise a bit more > jam into rock and start up the cocoon.

 

[jmerideth1]

Thanks all. I was pretty upset for the night as I had never seen this before. He was jammed in a hole that looked too small too even get into and his/her eyes didn't have that amazing shimmer too them.

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

Mine did that everynight, first time he did it i freaked out thinking he was stuck lol

 

[LJC6780]

Was peeking into my tank last night and found my six-line wrasse tucked into a tiny hole in a rock. Checked on it several times and it never moved. I thought it might be dead. Woke up this morning too see it swimming happily about. So is this normal?

My 6 line tucks himself (or herself) into bed inside a rock crevice every night not long after lights out. He will stay there until morning. I've used my phone flash light taking videos of corals at night and he won't move other than eyeballing me. I've even fed the tank late and squirted food near the cave and he didn't come out. I think they make a slime coat barrier or something. I've seen stuff stuck in it a couple times. Like clear goo or something. I guess this keeps out predators.

When I first got him he was tucked inside a small crevice in a large rock and I thought he was stuck and going to die. I finally got him out only for him to go back into the rock later. It was then I realized this is where he liked to be.

Here is Wrassey in his cave.

 

[Flameback Pair]

Yeah they produce a slime cocoon for night time protection and also sometimes lodge themselves in a rock crevasse. I think a lot of times when they wake up they eat the slime cocoon.

 

[Maritimer]

That cocoon protects not only against predators, but against parasites as well. It's part of the reason wrasses are somewhat resistant to ich.

~Bruce