Leopard Wrasse Primer

[OrionN]

I added a second Meleagris 9/5/2012. Had the first one for 2.5 years before that. Both are female for now. Certainly there is dynamic interaction between the two because I rarely see both of them out at once. My first used to be out all day, but not now. Both seem healthy and full, feeding well. There are plenty of pods in my tank so they are not short of food. They just seem to come out hunt, ate then go back to the sand. I am sure this is not normal.

What can I do other than just leave them alone for now???

 

[A sea K]

So I came home from work around 1 am est and remembered o I havnt checked live Aquaria and I went in on the right side they have collectors corner, and there it was a medium Kuiteri wrasse, for 169.99 $
Added an Aussie frog spawn to the order to make it over 225 for free shipping and clicked BUY

Nice!!! I saw that yesterday as well but not in the cards for me. Hope all goes well and keep us informed, pics would be nice too if you can manage.

 

[A sea K]

I added a second Meleagris 9/5/2012. Had the first one for 2.5 years before that. Both are female for now. Certainly there is dynamic interaction between the two because I rarely see both of them out at once. My first used to be out all day, but not now. Both seem healthy and full, feeding well. There are plenty of pods in my tank so they are not short of food. They just seem to come out hunt, ate then go back to the sand. I am sure this is not normal.

What can I do other than just leave them alone for now???

Not much you can do. The latest addition hasn't been in there all that long, it took mine a few weeks to sort things out. I would also think the one you have had for 2.5 years must be getting close to changing and the new female will likely be the trigger to get things going.

 

[krkqm2008]

Will definitely keep everyone posted and will take a pic before putting the fish in the tank

 

[longranger]

freaking out Mileagris

freaking out Mileagris

This is a repeat post from the reef fish thread. Just realised is probably belongs here.




Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 69 Freaked out Mileagris

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Picked up a very nice looking lady leopard yesterday and put her in QT. She is the most freaked out and stressed looking new fish I have ever had. Only 18 hrs in my care. Has spent half her time in the small sand tray and the other half trying to hide between PVC pipes. I say try because only her head is hidden. Keep your fingers crossed for her. I think she needs it.

 

[OrionN]

Not much you can do. The latest addition hasn't been in there all that long, it took mine a few weeks to sort things out. I would also think the one you have had for 2.5 years must be getting close to changing and the new female will likely be the trigger to get things going.

Thanks. The one I had for 2.5 years is the larger of the two so I also think she will change to a male also. I just be patient and wait. At least they are doing well in term of health and feeding.

 

[krkqm2008]

Just received the shipment from LA, unpacked the box and the Kuiter wrasse looks amazing, healthy and fat not breathing heavy The water looks very clean as well, I am surprised at the box they sent, it is huge for one fish. This is my first time getting a fish from LA I am impressed with the packing. Water doesn't seem cold at all. have the bag in the aquarium for temperature acclimation, after about 30 mintues I will start with the water acclimation.

 

[RDtrack]

Macropharyngodon meleagris

Macropharyngodon meleagris

So my local LFS has one and they've had it going on a week and half. Supposedly it's eating (I haven't seen it eat when I'm there) and I dont' doubt the store. From all apperances the fish seems to be fat and healthy. Nice large female.

The only thing that is holding me back is that I want to have a pair. How hard will I have it if I had this one and then add another in the future? Will I have trouble if it's a different species?

Thanks for the help.

 

[LittleBee]

After a couple weeks my female blue star wrasse has made an appearance! And then 30 seconds later dove back into the sand but at least I know she is still kickin.

 

[A sea K]

Just received the shipment from LA, unpacked the box and the Kuiter wrasse looks amazing, healthy and fat not breathing heavy The water looks very clean as well, I am surprised at the box they sent, it is huge for one fish. This is my first time getting a fish from LA I am impressed with the packing. Water doesn't seem cold at all. have the bag in the aquarium for temperature acclimation, after about 30 mintues I will start with the water acclimation.

Sounds as if the shipping went very well and things are off to a good start.

So my local LFS has one and they've had it going on a week and half. Supposedly it's eating (I haven't seen it eat when I'm there) and I dont' doubt the store. From all apperances the fish seems to be fat and healthy. Nice large female.

The only thing that is holding me back is that I want to have a pair. How hard will I have it if I had this one and then add another in the future? Will I have trouble if it's a different species?

Thanks for the help.

I would say the fish at your LFS will be a good choice. He's already acclimated to their system and is eating, all very good signs and the short trip to your home should be pretty easy.
Most of these wrasses do well with one another. I recently added a Meleagris in with my Bipartus. There was quite a bit if harassment for the first few days (more than I expected) but then they settled down and now stay together for the most part almost constantly. If you can manage it add both of them at the same time, if not then the closer together the better. An established fish will always have an advantage over a newcomer and be the aggressor in this situation.

 

[longranger]

I have really enjoyed reading this thread. It inspired me to get a MM. Put her in the QT tank with a sand tray. She never ate and died today after 3 days. Beautiful fish. Tried everything but putting her in my DT without quarantine to give her access to the many pods. Really a shame but not surprised reading everyone elses experiences.

So a couple of questions. First are most leopard wrasses too sensitive to survive a true quarantine with prophylactic treatment for parasites including crypto? Second which if any of the subspecies are more likely to survive the transition to tank life? Last are the odds for these fish better if you introduce three or more females simultaneously?

I am thinking about having my LFS pick up 3 girls for me when the wholesalers have a nice batch, either MM or bipartus. I really want to have a leopard wrassepair or trio in my tank long term. Would consider one of the more expensive and rare varieties but cannot justify the $$ unless they have a much better survival record. Thanks in advance for any specific suggestions.

 

[krkqm2008]

So great new everyone, got up this morning around 9 and the lights were off in the tank, tank was peaceful, went out to grab the paper and made some breakfast for the wife and myself, came down stairs around 10:15 and there. It was the lights were on all the wrasses , including the newest Kuiteri wrasse was out and about, swam around all day, making friends with the other leopards, picking at the rocks, went into the sand 2 hours before lights go off. Fed the tank but she didn't eat, just swam around , so far so good.

 

[krkqm2008]

LONGRANGER: I have spent many a dollars on the leopards, in all honesty I think it's all about hitting the right shipment with the least stress. And boom you will have happy healthy wrasses. If you get them from ur local store, as them to give u some sort of guarantee, if they can't I suggest sucking up the shipping cost and getting them from live aquaria where there is at least a 2 week money back promise.
Straight into the tank display tank is the other method off less stress, I mean it's like ocean to vendor to LFS to hospital tank to display tank, that's alot of stress and chemical unbalance. Minimize the stress is what I believe in.

 

[longranger]

Good suggestion KRK. I may just do that if I cannot talk one of my local fish buddies with wholesale accounts to bring me to the stores right next to LAX airport. I have had much better luck with fish directly from wholesale. Like you said it may just be less stages of transport, tank adjustment, stress. One way or the other my DT will have healthy leopard wrasses. In this life or the next as maximus would say.LOL

 

[A sea K]

Good suggestion KRK. I may just do that if I cannot talk one of my local fish buddies with wholesale accounts to bring me to the stores right next to LAX airport. I have had much better luck with fish directly from wholesale. Like you said it may just be less stages of transport, tank adjustment, stress. One way or the other my DT will have healthy leopard wrasses. In this life or the next as maximus would say.LOL

If you can hand pick directly from the wholesaler then it will certainly give you an advantage. Choose carefully, one that appears very alert yet calm at the same time will be your best bet and of course, no physical damage whatsoever.

 

[RDtrack]

I would say the fish at your LFS will be a good choice. He's already acclimated to their system and is eating, all very good signs and the short trip to your home should be pretty easy.
Most of these wrasses do well with one another. I recently added a Meleagris in with my Bipartus. There was quite a bit if harassment for the first few days (more than I expected) but then they settled down and now stay together for the most part almost constantly. If you can manage it add both of them at the same time, if not then the closer together the better. An established fish will always have an advantage over a newcomer and be the aggressor in this situation.[/QUOTE]


Thanks for the information. I ended up purchasing her on Friday and by Saturday night she was eating like a pig. Extremely health and my concern with her at the LFS was immediately gone. I was concerned at the LFS that she was hanging out in only half the tank. Shes all over my tank. Thanks for the advice. Now what species should I get to pair with her?

 

[A sea K]

RDtrack,
Great!!! Sounds like another good start. Judging by most of the experiences talked about in this thread I would say whatever you fancy. Some are a lot more expensive than others though.

 

[A sea K]

Sorry,
dbl post

 

[longranger]

I want 2 of each subspecies and a new 500 gallon tank please. (;-)

 

[Mishri]

1. Macropharyngodon meleagris (Female)
2. LFS
3. Straight to tank
4. Reef, 24 gallons, 3 months old if I remember right
5. first and only attempt. It was already eating frozen brine shrimp at the LFS. I kept it for a year and a half in the 24 gallon, then I moved and decided to setup a new tank (75 gallon) at the new place. I lived there for about a year before I made a big move so I decided to sell it. I fed a variety of frozen foods but it would only eat brine, it was in good shape when I sold it after over 2 years of ownership.

When i moved to my new place I decided to do freshwater planted so moving would be easier, but i've been here 3 years so I decided to setup a reef.. that'll ensure I move within a year