Christmas Wrasse (Halichoeres claudia )

[Craigdillman]

Hello,

Just added a christmas wrasse 2 days ago to the 125 display, came from a reputable store and has been there for a few weeks no problems eating good.I usually don't QT wrasses specially this one cause i have heard they are sensitive.
Since then the fish is kind of swimming in the corners or in the back of the tank only like 1" above the sand bed. He doesn't look sick or breathing heavy and if i spot feed him he will eat frozen and pellets.But after that he just kinda hovers there not going around.

So should I chalk this up to wrasse just being weird the first few days or what you guys think

 

[Craigdillman]

 

[eatbreakfast]

This fish is H. biocellatus, not claudia, both are refered to as christmas wrasses. Biocellatus is more peaceful than claudia and stays a little smaller.

If he is swimming and not just laying on the sand this is better than laying. If he is investigating the sand and rock that is also a good sign.
Are there any other wrasses in the tank? Sometimes established wrasses will keep new wrasses from hanging out front and center. Also, it is not unusual for more mature halichoeres wrasses to be more tentative when moved from store tank to display tank.

 

[Craigdillman]

Ok thanks, yea there is a 6line wrasse and a lubbloks fairy wrasse

 

[Marshall O]

How is the Sixline doing with the new addition?

 

[Craigdillman]

Well he is kinda a WrasseHole, but i never seen him chasing it or anything. He tried picking on the Kole tang and that didn't fair well for him. He chases the fairy wrasse sometimes

He is aggressive tho

 

[eatbreakfast]

I would be concerned about the sixline as well, they are notoriously aggressive to newcomers, especially wrasses. The lubbocks also may be a reason for the xmas to be in the corners, depending on how mature he is and how long it has been in the tank, but i would lean more toward the sixline. I would think things will get better once the biocellatus has been in the tank a few more days.

 

[Craigdillman]

Ok yea thats what i was thinking, cause he doesn't look sick and he is eating so

The 6 line and fairy been in there from the start so like 2.5 months

 

[Marshall O]

I would not worry about the Lubbock's personally. Although they can hold their own against more aggressive wrasses, they usually don't dole it out themselves. The Sixline on the other hand, I would seriously consider catching and re-homing if you intend to get more wrasses (or another other fish for that matter!).

 

[Craigdillman]

I'm pretty sure there is 0 % chance of catching him lol

 

[Marshall O]

No, but you can trap him Do some searching on here. I am betting if you search for "catch sixline" you will get hundreds of hits LOL.

 

[Craigdillman]

Well all looks well this am the wrasse is out and about, still kinda "shy" but starting to venture out guess just needed a few days

Thanks for the help