Leopard wrasse - any thoughts and experience to share?

[mitten_reef]

So I may have made a semi-impulse decision to get a leopard wrasse at the LFS for my Cadlight Mini 34. It's a female, mid-range in size (~3 inches?). So not quite too large for the tank yet. What's the growth rate on this particular wrasse, assuming I can keep it happy. A couple of the threads I've found seem to indicate that they're tough to keep. LiveAquaria had them listed as expert-only. She's been eating frozen miss shrimp as part of once-daily feeding along with the clowns.

 

The existing inhabitants are: two clowns, one YWG, one pistol (YWG's buddy), and a peppermint shrimp. But now the peppermint disappeared, had not seen it in two days. YWG/pistol had been in hiding, can still see them through their hole, but they're not out. The clowns seem to have adjusted the best to the newcomer.

 

I've been wanting to add one extra fish to the tank, and this one is just very unique. Was the leopard wrasse a poor decision? If so, should it be taken right back to the LFS? Or is it OK to take the wait-and-see approach? After all, why not have a fish that may eventually outgrow the tank, so I have an excuse to get a bigger tank in a year or so?

 

 

[MikeTR]

If it's consistently pacing the glass instead of focusing on the rock work then that's not a good sign. It's eating so that can be a hurdle sometimes, be glad you don't have to deal with it. Should be fine with size..

Pic?

[mitten_reef]

Thanks!!

 

I'll try to get a pic tomorrow when she's out swimming. The wrasse goes to sleep a lot earlier than I had thought, could just be the light cycle at the LFS (vs mine).

 

I did notice the glass pacing on the first night (Monday) that I introduced her to the tank. After that, she seems to swim around looking at/around the rocks and picking at the sand from what I saw.

 

Any thoughts on invert compatibility? Do you think the peppermint was eaten? Is the YWG just hiding in the hole to help protect his pistol buddy? Sorry for many questions, a quick peek to your tank thread seems to mention that you have a leopard wrasse. Thanks again!

[Dreichler]

You should probably get a container of copepods and dump them in at night that way your leopard can be kept entertained and not picking at corals or other tank mates. Definitely start to train him to eat frozen food. I have a leopard wrasse in my 45g for a year and a half now and he's still small enough for it. I also have a mandarin and a wild caught clown hosted to an anemone. So as far as aggression, they are extremely peaceful and would also pair well with a flasher wrasse. And as for eating, if he is the only one that will be eating pods, a decent pod collection will be suitable, but if your like me, and you also have a mandarin that demands pods as well as a leopard that demands them, i need a very heft pod collection, but have also trained them both to eat frozen.

Also, make sure you have a nice thick and open sand bed because they bury themselves for bed....

[mitten_reef]

If it's consistently pacing the glass instead of focusing on the rock work then that's not a good sign. It's eating so that can be a hurdle sometimes, be glad you don't have to deal with it. Should be fine with size..

Pic?

 

Morning pics:

 

peeking from behind the main rock.

 

 

picking at the rock:

 

looking for something in the sand:

 

 

You should probably get a container of copepods and dump them in at night that way your leopard can be kept entertained and not picking at corals or other tank mates. Definitely start to train him to eat frozen food. I have a leopard wrasse in my 45g for a year and a half now and he's still small enough for it. I also have a mandarin and a wild caught clown hosted to an anemone. So as far as aggression, they are extremely peaceful and would also pair well with a flasher wrasse. And as for eating, if he is the only one that will be eating pods, a decent pod collection will be suitable, but if your like me, and you also have a mandarin that demands pods as well as a leopard that demands them, i need a very heft pod collection, but have also trained them both to eat frozen.

Also, make sure you have a nice thick and open sand bed because they bury themselves for bed....

Thanks for the input on growth, size, and behavior, glad to hear that it'll be a slow grower. I'll definitely check with LFS on the pods. No other pods-lovers in the tank, just 2 clowns and a YWG. So far she seems to eat food frozen mysis ok.

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[SquishyFishy]

Beautiful fish! I've checked them out too but murdered a dragonette and a Ruby Red Scooter last year so was afraid to chose this gorgeous fish. PLease let us in on some updates!

[mitten_reef]

Beautiful fish! I've checked them out too but murdered a dragonette and a Ruby Red Scooter last year so was afraid to chose this gorgeous fish. PLease let us in on some updates!

 

Thank you! She is a beauty indeed.

So it's been over 3 weeks since I've had this leopard wrasse. I'm happy to report that things are going quite well with her. She's been eating without any problem along with the other tankmates. I feed frozen food (almost daily), alternating between mysis and brine shrimp. The yellow watchman goby finally came out of hiding after a week or so, but hist buddy, the yellow pistol shrimp, remains somewhat cautious of the wrasse. I'd certainly give most of the credit to my LFS for properly quarantining/transitioning their livestock.