I added a choati wrasse last Friday and it immediatley got harrassed by my leopard wrasse. I didn't think the leopard was aggressive although he's been the only wrasse in the tank. Anyways, I observed the choati swimming for awhile but I haven't seen it since then. My question is how long can a wrasse hide in the sand? I'm hoping it's not dead or jumped. Anyone else have any success with choati wrasses?
Choati Wrasse hiding
- Thread starter m3lacoste
- Start date
Maxxingout
New member
Wrasses are known to hide for 5 plus days in the sand. Do you have a lid on your tank? Wrasses are also known to jump so if not you might want to look into adding one like the version off BRS. Did you QT the wrasse 1st?
My hamilton canopy sits on top of my tank so it acts like a lid and have the home depot plastic light cut outs to cover the sections that are open but you never know if it squeezed through. Knock on wood, but I didn't QT my fish which goes against all the advice I've read on the forums. All the fish I've purchased with the exception of my powder blue tang and 2 wrasses, have been from previous, established tanks for the most part.
Last edited:
eatbreakfast
New member
Wrasses can hide substantially longer than 5days, though the aggression is worrisome, as it can keep the choati hiding until it perishes. If possible, remove one and place in a social acclimation box to see if aggression will subside. Usually aggression calms down, but if not one may have to be rehomed.
I agree. Choati wrasses are difficult to say the least. Also very sensitive to pH changes.
ridetolive
New member
I wouldn't worry about not seeing the choati leopard for up to a week. I had an ornate leopard that I didn't see for over a week when I first introduced in my old tank and he was fine. What I would be worried about is if the choati is a male or a female. If its a male your other male leopard wrasse may never tolerate it. If its a female it shouldn't be an issue.
My leopard wrasse is now missing 6 days and still no sighting of the choati since adding April 24. My purple tang and powder blue have developed some ich spots and I'm guessing this is stress related by adding a powder blue, choati wrasse and DaVinci clown pair within the past month. My dilemma was I was hesitant to add more fish since my current fish have been in the tank with no problems for 4 years with the exception of the leopard wrasse that I added last year. I've had my flame hawkfish, blue damsel (first fish from startup), yellow and purple tangs and the new additions may have stressed the dynamic of the tank although I'm hoping not.
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