Baby mystery wrasse diet?

[Hwang]

I picked up a tiny mystery wrasse (1"-1.5") and saw that it was eating frozen brine shrimp there, so I figured it was okay to pick him up.

After I got him home, I acclimated him for about hour and a half, and it didn't show any signs of stress. I had the lights off the whole time as well. Later at night, when the antics were on, I saw that it was picking off cope pods and eating them, which I thought was a good sign.

However, when I feed them regular food (Rod's original, formula one flakes) it doesn't seem to eat them at all. I don't think it was scared of other fish, as it swims around the rockwork calmly(?) and doesn't show any rapid breathing, or fast movements.

Do I need to get him some live food? my concern is that since it's so small, it may not have adapted to man-made food yet... any advice?

 

[melanotaenia]

The Mystery Wrasse is a tough species, you should have no problem getting him onto prepared foods, but it could take a while, mine took almost two weeks before eating prepared or frozen foods, but once he did, he consumed food with gusto.

If you seem him picking pods that is a good sign. I would just keep feeding what you have to the other fish, eventually he will come around.

I hope that you don't have any ornamental shrimp in your aquarium, as the Mystery Wrasse tends to like to devour these shrimp.

 

[ChuckG]

Mine tends to prefer the larger pieces of meat in rod's food. You could also try frozen mysis shrimp.. eventually he should take small pellets and/or flakes.

Mine eats all those things plus nori from time to time which was a surprise.

 

[BrianD]

Interesting. My mysteri wrasse started eating the day I added him to the tank (also a tiny guy). Of course, the rest of my fish eat like starving dogs so that might have encouraged him to participate.

Mine eats frozen mysid, enriched brine, and will also pick at flaked (prefers the meaty foods).

 

[Hwang]

I see. Thanks for the info. But my wrasse is tiny. About 1.25 inches.

I don't think it can even fit the large peace of rod's food xD

I'm thinking of buying frozen mysis as well as brine shrimp and see if I have better luck.

 

[BrianD]

I doubt mine was much different in size when I added him.

 

[Hwang]

sorry, i typed the reply before yours ^^

I'm hoping it'll start eating after it feels more comfortable (I guess)