wrasse lovers I have some questions

[spscrazy]

I am getting a H. claudia & a H. melanurus wrasse Tuesday from Live aquaria. I have been wanting these guys for awhile so need any tips or advice you wrasse lovers have to share especially concerned with what foods they like I have some mysis shri mp, elos sv.m2 & tetra cyclop eeze pellets anything else I should have on hand? do you think it is better to release them before lights out or after?

 

[chort55]

I always add w/ lights out. Should be good with those foods, I like the NLS thera +A pellets also. Don't be surprised if they hide in the sand for a bit before checking out their new surroundings as well. Goodluck!

 

[spscrazy]

thanks!

 

[el richie]

For me lights on or off wasn't really a big deal, but if you don't see them for a couple a days don't get scared and go digging for them mine stayed hidden or wouldn't come out during the day for about a month. make sure sand bed is around 2-3 inches and from my experiences they love pe mysis also make sure you have a screen lid covering the tank. Better safe than sorry.
Post some pics when you get em

 

[spscrazy]

I forgot all about them jumping till today got some mesh ordered from acroholic got some black mesh from a old chameleon cage tho that I can temp. use. was worried about turning them loose at night because they couldn't see where to find a place to sleep have about a 3" sand bed do they like black worms? I can't get my bangaii cardinal to eat anything but the mysis so thought I would try the worms

 

[chort55]

The lights being off wont matter for finding a place to sleep, they know to shoot to the bottom anyways and probably will regardless but I have always liked adding them with the lights off when everyone else is sleeping/ more docile so the new additions can get more accustomed to their new surroundings without as much notice from the established fish. I have multiple wrasses and have had 0 issue even adding the harder to keep leopard wrasses doing it this way..... with a 6" passer angel that is well established lol

 

[el richie]

I never had problems with my leopards, the only one that gave me trouble was the choati wrasse but after some live mysis he started eating everything I would put in

 

[chort55]

I never had problems with my leopards, the only one that gave me trouble was the choati wrasse but after some live mysis he started eating everything I would put in

choati is a leopard But yeah I start picky eaters with hykari (sp?) mysis it is smaller the pe, sure live works great as well tho if you have it available.

 

[spscrazy]

thanks getting excited about getting them :bounce:

 

[islandreef]

where do you get live mysis from?

 

[ReeferBean]

You may be OK with the melanurus but that xmas wrasse is gonna get big and eat your inverts most likely.

Cyclops are a good frozen food to start off with as well for those picky eaters. Or Ova/ eggs.

My established male leopard is really aggressive to any new wrasse so each fish can be different.

 

[caudill187]

I love the genus. IMO, one of the coolest. They will utilize the sandbed more than any other wrasse grouping, in my experience. For this reason, I think jumping is less of a problem.

I made the mistake of trying to keep one in a tank with a shallow sandbed and lost it after he broke his neck shallow diving. Enjoy them !!