Female Blue Star / vermiculate Wrasse - where is it?

[malate]

Bought a beauty on 9/3 and she was in and out of the sand as she was constantly annoyed by a yellow tang. Last time I saw her was the night of 9/7. I found a new home for the tang on 9/8. Since then I haven't seen her. I'm hoping she's still in the sand and comes out when I'm sleeping. I know it can take a few weeks for acclimation, but part of me just wants to sift through the sand to make sure she's not dead. Water levels are stable. I have two paired clowns that don't care about anything else but themselves. Gah! I want to se my new fish!!!

Thoughts? Affirmation? Comments. Ahah

 

[eastlake]

definitely don't sift through the sand looking for her, you could scare her worse and cause her to feel safe nowhere. She'll come out once she feels comfortable enough that the danger has passed. In the meantime just keep your eyes open. If she was nice and healthy when she dove into the sand bed, she'll come out the same way. Mine did the same thing when my damsels harassed her upon entry, stayed in the sand for three days before the re-emergence.

 

[scooter31707]

Agreed, don't go digging. She might stay longer if the YT keeps picking at her.

 

[malate]

Agreed, don't go digging. She might stay longer if the YT keeps picking at her.

The Yellow tang has been removed from the tank so she can swim without being bullied.

 

[malate]

definitely don't sift through the sand looking for her, you could scare her worse and cause her to feel safe nowhere. She'll come out once she feels comfortable enough that the danger has passed. In the meantime just keep your eyes open. If she was nice and healthy when she dove into the sand bed, she'll come out the same way. Mine did the same thing when my damsels harassed her upon entry, stayed in the sand for three days before the re-emergence.

Well I hope so. It's been a week since I saw her last. I don't even know how she's capable of eating if she doesn't come out. She can swim freely as the tang is gone.

 

[A sea K]

These fish are rather delicate to acclimate at times but it is not uncommon for them to stay buried for a week or even two. She is probably coming out after lights out and snacking on pods while her internal time clock is adjusting to your lighting schedule. If not doing so already, leave a room light on for some ambient light for her to hunt during the night. Just keep your fingers crossed and be patient, as already mentioned , digging around in the sand trying to find her is about the worst thing to do.

 

[snorvich]

These fish are rather delicate to acclimate at times but it is not uncommon for them to stay buried for a week or even two. She is probably coming out after lights out and snacking on pods while her internal time clock is adjusting to your lighting schedule. If not doing so already, leave a room light on for some ambient light for her to hunt during the night. Just keep your fingers crossed and be patient, as already mentioned , digging around in the sand trying to find her is about the worst thing to do.

This.

 

[malate]

These fish are rather delicate to acclimate at times but it is not uncommon for them to stay buried for a week or even two. She is probably coming out after lights out and snacking on pods while her internal time clock is adjusting to your lighting schedule. If not doing so already, leave a room light on for some ambient light for her to hunt during the night. Just keep your fingers crossed and be patient, as already mentioned , digging around in the sand trying to find her is about the worst thing to do.

Thanks for the affirmation and advice. I'll try a "Motel 6" and leave a light on for her Really hoping she will come out and enjoy the tank.

 

[xCry0x]

Following along on this - came to ask almost the exact same question.

Added a blue star to my tank a few days ago. Was out the first day eating pods, then I accidentally spooked it and it dove into the sand.

Was in sand for almost 24 hours then was out again eating pods... then I think I spooked it again. While watching the wrasse noticed bubble algae growing on a small rock so pulled the rock out, when I came back from cleaning the rock the wrasse was gone. Didn't come out at all yesterday.

Currently on wrasse watch :fish1:

Such an awesome looking fish!

 

[xCry0x]

welp mine is back out at 5:30 pm -- almost a full 48 hours MIA.

 

[A sea K]

Thanks for the affirmation and advice. I'll try a "Motel 6" and leave a light on for her Really hoping she will come out and enjoy the tank.

Do you have an update? I really hope she came back out but I know how difficult these fish can be to acclimate at times.

 

[ca1ore]

Not unusual for a leopard wrasse to go a week or two in the sand. Very little energy expended. I'd disagree with putting a light on the tank at night. These fish often come with their internal clocks backwards, and getting them time acclimated simply takes longer.

 

[A sea K]

Not unusual for a leopard wrasse to go a week or two in the sand. Very little energy expended. I'd disagree with putting a light on the tank at night. These fish often come with their internal clocks backwards, and getting them time acclimated simply takes longer.

My suggestion was not for a light over the tank at night but merely a room light to give some dim light to hunt by while the wrasse adjust.

Still hoping for a positive outcome, any update?