Leopard Wrasse evaluations?

[pktech]

What does everyone look for in a small Leopard wrasse? I figure it should be eating, actively picking, clear fins, eyes, but is there something you can look for that would increase the chances of a well adjusted specimen?

My LFS has had one for a t least 2 weeks & it's belly doesn't look pinched or fins tattered. Should they be purchased in couples, trios or would a single one be ok. I've seen it eat some frozen Mysis, but not go "crazy" for it, as it went quickly back to pecking the substrate.

Thanks!

 

[snorvich]

They will eat PE mysis almost immediately. Look for mouth damage especially since that often happens when they are transported without sand (which adds weight)

 

[pktech]

Thanks Steve! I'm going to check it out today

 

[snorvich]

Thanks Steve! I'm going to check it out today

Also, note that if you do get one, they will go into the sand immediately and may not come out for a while. Remember that they may be jet lagged too, since they come from an area that is many time zones removed from here. Multiple females is ok, multiple males is not.

 

[snorvich]

One more thing. They often will not allow mandarins in the same tank as they will intimidate them.

 

[ca1ore]

I have had pretty good success getting these fish to eat brine, hikari Mysis, PE Mysis and then LRS reef frenzy ..... the meleagris in my display now even eats nori and NLS pellets.

I have generally added one at a time, because that is generally how I find them at my LFS. Key is to be able to feed them almost continuously until they are fully acclimated and happy.

I have had problems with leopards and mandarins 'competing' for the same food sources, though in my current 265 that has been less of a problem.

 

[triggreef]

I have 2 meleagris and one bipartitus, all females. I tried 3 or more at a time in qt, each time I only ended up with one making it to the display. I had the best luck from live aquaria, and that is the only place that offers a guarantee. I feel that I would have much better results if I tried again, because I would treat with metro instead of prazi. I lost most to white stringy poo as far as I could tell, and although everyone says to use prazi asap, I think metro asap is the better option (although i didnt come to that conclusion until after I already had all my leopards).

My 2 meleagris have recently began eating nls pellets but the bipart refuses those. They all are pigs now with everything else I feed.

Also, some that I received had very large bellies, and looked almost like a rib was poking out. Those always ate well but died out of no where within a week. I see other wrasses like that sometimes on DD too. I actually bought a yellow purple that had a belly like that from DD and they said he died prior to shipping it, so I might avoid wrasses with bellies like that. I might try to post a pic if I can find one.

Live black worms also helped get them eating well. Good luck.