Wrasse Trained to Surface

[TenPointStudios]

Have a funny situation... I've kept reef tanks for about 18 years now on and off - always learning something new. Recently acquired a flasher wrasse. Gorgeous fish!

 

I made the mistake of mostly feeding him near the surface to minimize waste. Well - the problem is now whenever he sees me in the room, he hits the surface and stays there. It's somewhat funny but unfortunate because I never see him behaving more "naturally" anymore. I had clowns that did this in the past, but not to this extent.

 

Debating hiding some food in the live rock etc to train him to look all over the tank.

 

Anyone else had something like this happen before?

[demonclownfish]

Large plastic syringe + clear hose pushed down halfway into the tank. Fill clear syringe with water + whatever food and push it through hose so the food comes mid tank. I used to feed a mandarin this way on the bottom.