Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) - behaviour

[Chaloupa]

Do Cleaner Wrasses exhibit the same behaviour as most other wrasses by hiding in the sand when frightened or newly introduced into a tank? Thanks for looking and thanks in advance for any info...I really appreciate it!

 

[dc]

No they swim around constantly. Do you have one now?

 

[Chaloupa]

I do....he was placed in my tank yesterday and I haven't seen him since...was eating meaty foods at the LFS and in really good condition...now...gone. Thought maybe he was behaving as other wrasses do but I guess not....uh oh!

 

[dc]

Did you check around the tank to see if he maybe jumped? Mine never has hid, but that doesn't mean yours isn't in the rocks or something. What other kind of fish are in there with it?

 

[Chaloupa]

I have scoured the ground, overflow, sump, tank and rockwork etc.....I have a rabbitfish, pair of Blue throat triggers (very tiny the Angel is larger than they are and they are very very shy), Rusty Angel, Coris Wrasse (very small and not out much as it only comes out when the halides are on...not the actinics or anything) couple of saddle back clowns and a Valentini Puffer...thats it....

 

[JamesJR]

Chances are it may not have made it. Cleaner Wrasse do absolutely horrible in aquariums.

 

[giorgiboy]

I had one for a couple of years.. As soon as it was released it started cleaning other fish, and for the 2 years it swam aroud constantly in full view.. Took mysis, artemia etc.. But then one day suddenly disappeared (think my Trigger turned nasty, but the cleaner could have been weak already? No real obvious sign of that). I haven't tried again...

 

[McCrary]

Mine took mysis, brine and just about anything else. He jumped a few days ago and will be missed.

 

[Waxxiemann]

I have a cleaner wrasse in my tank now that I am babysitting for a friend for about 2 months now. Counting my tank, this is his 4th tank and he has been around for 5 years!

He started cleaning my fish about 5 minutes after being released. I love this fish. I haven't seen him take any food per say but he is fat and looking happy to me.

This one sleeps in a really small little hole in the rocks at night. Maybe yours was scared and found such a hole and is camped out.

Good luck. It really is a great fish.

 

[salineh2o]

Don't worry about it.

Mine hid for about 4 days

 

[dc]

Well if he died the Triggers or Puffer could have eaten him. Generally a good clean up crew will not leave much of a trace behind. i've had mine for 5 years.