Wrasse in hiding

Averhoeven · Oct 2, 2018

I picked up a blue star leopard wrasse 2 days ago. He's in a QT by himself with a bowl of sand. I assume he's in the sand since there's really no way out of the tank and I can't see him. How long should I give him to come out before I worry? I haven't seen him in like 2 days. I put a few mysis in and he doesn't come out, I'm hoping he eats them when I'm not around. My yellow coris did this for almost a week but now is out all the time.

HotRocks · Oct 2, 2018

Do you have a light over the tank?

Averhoeven · Oct 2, 2018

There's a bright ceiling light in the room and plenty of sunlight. Should I put a light directly above it?

HotRocks · Oct 2, 2018

I have quarantined many leopards. Most of them will not come out of sand much without light directly above the tank.

I have 3 potters in QT now. They are the most responsive to light IME. I can turn light off watch them go in the sand that quickly, same with lights on they come out immediately.

Leopards in general are tough to adapt to Aquaria. Rough shippers as well.

Offering live foods upon arrival is necessary sometimes to get them eating and then they will transition to frozen.

Averhoeven · Oct 2, 2018

Thanks for the input. Just put a light over it and turned it on. I'll see if he comes out so I can feed him. He has been in a frag tank at the store for probably 2 months now and they just decided to sell him, so I grabbed him. Should mean he'll eat.