Wrasse gone missing when to assume the worst

[Greg Depo]

Guys,
We introduced a melanurus to our tank about 3 weeks ago and we’ve seen him twice total. Both times our Tang bullied him back into the sand after 30 seconds. Well I haven’t seen him in at least a week. My question is when do I assume he may be dead? I’ve noticed my phosphates have increased over the past 3 days but everything else looks to be fine.

Any advice would be great. I don’t want to search the sand and freak him out more if he’s still alive but I don’t want to crash the tank either.

 

[JMR5]

Guys,
We introduced a melanurus to our tank about 3 weeks ago and we’ve seen him twice total. Both times our Tang bullied him back into the sand after 30 seconds. Well I haven’t seen him in at least a week. My question is when do I assume he may be dead? I’ve noticed my phosphates have increased over the past 3 days but everything else looks to be fine.

Any advice would be great. I don’t want to search the sand and freak him out more if he’s still alive but I don’t want to crash the tank either.

 

[JMR5]

Ours can be a serious hider. I'll see him every day and then not for another 3,4,5 days. We had some tank issues and he hid for I'd say a week. So, I wouldn't jump to conclusions just yet, and unless you wanna stir up every inch of sand, you may not find him anyway (ours doesn't startle easily). Fingers crossed yours comes out!

 

[Kryptonian]

When I introduced my Melanurus, only saw him once for the first week. He's very prominent in the tank now but wrasse have a track record of vanishing for periods of time. If it's alive, even sand sifting isn't worth it as they will burrow away from you and you'll have no idea they're there. Had a jawfish do the same thing, didn't see him once for almost two weeks, after a week and a half I moved rocks and sifted some sand, found nothing, then all of a sudden he was out and swimming a few days later.

You'd think they need to eat but somehow they get by. Sorry I don't really have a suggestion on what time table should make you worried but weeks hidden is very possible.

 

[blue.flyzz]

If it's still alive it will come out when it feels safe. Don't go looking for it in your tank. As far as how long to wait, can't say, don't forget they can feed on fireworms and pyramidellid snails to get by. Even if you have a tight lid wrasse can find a way to jump ship.....check around your tank "just in case".

 

[Greg Depo]

If it's still alive it will come out when it feels safe. Don't go looking for it in your tank. As far as how long to wait, can't say, don't forget they can feed on fireworms and pyramidellid snails to get by. Even if you have a tight lid wrasse can find a way to jump ship.....check around your tank "just in case".

Well unfortunately for him we are getting a new home for them. Probably take me a week to get everything plumbed and set up. Hopefully he’s at least starting to come out at that point. The new tank is twice the size of the old so I’m sure they’ll all enjoy the space and maybe it’ll help him stand up to the tangs bullish attitude.

 

[K7BMG]

I have had two Lubbocks just disappear.
A Female and a Super Male, in that order.
She was swimming round in the morning for breakfast and was gone by dinner. Never found a carcass. Thought maybe my Elegance or BTA may have had a snack I lokked everyday for several weeks but nothing.

Somehow the male found his way into the sump a month after I had given up on the female. Put him back in the tank and about 10 days later he magically dissapeared, and I never found the carcass.
Been some two three months now.

Bummer.
I am hoping you have better luck.