Cleaner Wrasse Question

[e55MD]

I purchased the Diver's Den African cleaner wrasse yesterday. It supposedly has been eating for 3 weeks. Has anyone actually succeeded in keeping one of these alive and healthy for a significant period of time? If so, did your other fishes seem to appreciate its cleaning or did it pester them incessantly?

 

[Creetin]

I have and a few friends have as well. If its eating the battle is done. The african cleaners are more hearty than the HI versions.

 

[TampaReefer79]

I have and a few friends have as well. If its eating the battle is done. The african cleaners are more hearty than the HI versions.

That's good to know! I've had 2, and they'd live a year or so. Even the one that ate daphnia. I love to keep a few tangs, and always like to have a cleaner wrasse and cleaner shrimp just 'in case'. That's NOT to say this is in replace of QT!!!

Overall, I'd say they should be left in the ocean to do their job there. On the other hand, the 2 I've owned were because I saw them already in the store and figured...if someone else is going to buy it and give it a shot, I might as well be the one. Now to 'boycott' the fish and leave them in the ocean, the fish would have to NOT be purchased at the store level to give the store the idea to not order them anymore correct? I know it sounds hypocritical to say I don't like them in captivity yet have bought 2, but I don't really know how to go about keeping them out of stores. Again as I said, had I not bought it, i know SOMEONE would have. I had dreams that I'd give it a better home than the next guy coming in to look at it...

ALL that aside, if african cleaner is heartier and not going to perish and still has enough left in the wild, maybe I'll try one.

 

[snorvich]

I purchased the Diver's Den African cleaner wrasse yesterday. It supposedly has been eating for 3 weeks. Has anyone actually succeeded in keeping one of these alive and healthy for a significant period of time? If so, did your other fishes seem to appreciate its cleaning or did it pester them incessantly?

It depends on the number of "clients" whether their tendency to clean becomes a nuisance. In a large tank, with many "clients" it is not a problem, in a smaller tank, it can be irritating to other inhabitants. Remember that not all fish are willing to be cleaned; butterflies seem to especially enjoy it, as do angelfish. On the other side of the coin clownfish will not tolerate it.

The African cleaners tend to work out much of the time because they seem to be much more likely to survive. I used to have one in my 350 gallon FOWLR tank for years and it was happy and healthy eating pretty much everything added to the tank. But finding the African cleaners, you know, is not easy.

 

[Madfronter]

My last cleaner wrasse live for about 6 years. Died in a power outage a few years ago. Ate everything I fed everyone else in the tank for the most part. Always zipping around the tank. Cool personality too.

 

[e55MD]

It sounds more encouraging than I expected. It will be going into my 400 gallon DT where I currently have 5 large angelfish, a golden puffer and several other smaller fishes. I also have a pair of wrought iron butterflies that will be added sometime in the near future. So there should hopefully be enough "work" for the wrasse.

 

[SaraB]

Do you have a photo of it? I have one from DD as well (blue, black & white with a hint of yellow), but I'm really not sure which variety it is. I've had mine for about 5 months and he cleans the fish and eats everything food related I put in the tank ... including Nori.

 

[skiprr]

I have a pair. The bigger one i have had for over 2 years. Them smaller one over a year and a half. I have actually seen them spawning in my tank once. Pretty cool site. i have mostly angels and a butterfly.-

Skip

 

[snorvich]

It sounds more encouraging than I expected. It will be going into my 400 gallon DT where I currently have 5 large angelfish, a golden puffer and several other smaller fishes. I also have a pair of wrought iron butterflies that will be added sometime in the near future. So there should hopefully be enough "work" for the wrasse.

Actually, your situation sounds ideal for this fish as all the fishes you mentioned will like being cleaned. If you do the wrought iron butterflies, remember that you need lower temperatures for long term success but the cleaner comes from a lower temperature environment in any case. Sounds like a great situation!

 

[e55MD]

So, my cleaner wrasse arrived today and it looks to be very healthy and vibrant. I forgot to ask the folks over at LA exactly what prepared foods it has been eating. It definitely has a smaller mouth than any of my other fishes. I usually feed NLS pellets and PE mysis. Any suggestions on the best food to try/what has worked for those of you that have one. My angels are all begging to be cleaned although he has shown no interest in doing so yet.

 

[dviper150]

The cleaner wrasse I have eats mysis shrimp, nori sheets, and formula 1.

 

[SaraB]

The cleaner wrasse I have eats mysis shrimp, nori sheets, and formula 1.

Mine eats the same and also Prime Flake and Rod's Food.

 

[snorvich]

Most anything mentioned above. Also cyclopeez

 

[e55MD]

Next question, do these guys burrow? After being out swimming all day he is nowhere to be seen and my lights are still on. My tank is covered so no carpet surfing is possible.

 

[dviper150]

To my knowledge, they don't burrow. Mine is always out the moment the lights go on. Even before I turn the lights on its out swimming. If you haven't seen your wrasse for a couple days move the rocks. I am sorry to say this but after a few days of no show, its probably a goner.

 

[e55MD]

Well, I'll see what happens. He has 550lbs of LR in which to hide. After being out for several hours after being released from the shipping bag and suddenly disappearing I have a bad feeling on this one......

 

[dviper150]

Its probably still shy if it was just released. Hopefully it will come out soon.

 

[snorvich]

Next question, do these guys burrow? After being out swimming all day he is nowhere to be seen and my lights are still on. My tank is covered so no carpet surfing is possible.

Mine would always disappear somewhere in the rock work. Always out in the morning, but occasionally slept late.

 

[skiprr]

Give it a few days. They like to hide in holes within your live rock. Mine always do so and after a while you will see where the go for the night. Whenever I have to move rocks out of water for whatever reason I always make sure to double/tripple check the rock and make sure they are not in there. Btw I have also had one fall into my overflow and didn't see it until 5 days later. He was fine and I just put him back on the dt. I still have him to this day.

 

[e55MD]

He reappeared this morning and has even been eating mysis. So everything looks good for now. I won't feel comfortable about his long term success until I cam clear the one month mark.