Leopard Wrasse

[solitude127]

Hello All,
I bought a Leopard Wrasse this past weekend and I have question about it. After acclimating it, I put it in my tank, but in a container so that I spot feed it and make sure all is ok. After 2 days of spot feeding he seemed like he was ready to be released into the tank because he was eating good. So the big night came, I opened his container after the lights have gone out and he bolted for the sand and burried himself. I figured that this was normal because of his new environment. Now it's been 2 days and he's still MIA. Is this normal? Thanks
Mike

 

[captainobvious]

As with many fish, It will take a few days for him to get acclimated to his surroundings, as well as your feeding schedule. Some fish are bigger scaredy-cats than others, but I'm sure he'll come around soon enough.

 

[reef fanatic]

I had one that did not come out until 2 weeks and then he passed away that day. Not sure if he came out at night or not, but if you got yours to eat that is a plus as I hear they are hard to get to eat.
I saw another this past weekend and asked the salesman to feed it and sure enough he cared little about the mysis.
Good Luck, Scott

 

[dman17878]

Thats what they do they will burry themselves in the substrate sometimes for long periods of time they will eventualy come out esp if its eating but mine are the last ones out in the morning and the first to hide at night. Just give it some time It may be a few days or even a week but its typical

 

[solitude127]

Since I did get it to eat when it was in the container, is that a good sign that he'll eat when he's not scared anymore?

 

[craiglanda]

Mine has been in my tank about 2 months now. The first week and a half i didnt see it! i asumed the worst until the second the actinics kicked on in the morning one day and there she was. Now my bluestar is eating anything i put in the tank but i can set my watch to it! when the actinics come on in the morning she comes out of the sand bed and starts munching down pods (6:45 am) then at almost exactly noon she dissapears into the sand not to be seen till the next morning. So if you saw it eating than it is a very good sign and just keep your eyes peeled for it!

 

[reef_doug]

It's normal in the beginning. When I got my Melagris Leopard it would hide for 24 hours. Basically every other day.

He's eating everything now and is out daily.

Give him a few weeks to get comfortable and he'll be out more often.

 

[solitude127]

Thanks Everyone for your help. I'll just wait a week and hope he comes out.