Missing Christmas Wrasse

[Dimammy]

Added healthy Christmas Wrasse to my 125 fish only tank 8 days ago and have never seen him. I'm fairly certain he did not jump or perish. I know they bury in sand bed but for this long? I've diligently watched tank especially during feedings and when lights go out and no sightings. I have noticed one of my ornamental boats tipped over each morning and suspect perhaps the wrasse is under it. Should I give up hope yet?

 

[marleesan]

Is there any exposed area on top? I had a tiny gap in my lid and my wrasse found it. If not, move a few decorations around and try to find it.

 

[Dimammy]

No real gaps and I've searched outside the tank. The store where I purchased it told me not to dig it out, but rather let it come out on its own. I hate to give up on it because I can't imagine a fish starving itself to death by never coming out of sand ...but I'm losing hope as each day passes.

 

[TangingOut]

It won't starve to death while buried. It's not using much if any energy while hiding so food isn't a concern. Your LFS is correct, don't go digging for it and let it come out when it feels nice and safe. I remember reading one member's account of her yellow coris wrasse hiding for a month or longer when added. Just be patient.

 

[hkgar]

I have had new Wrasses go missing so long I forgot about them and then one day there it is. A couple weeks of hiding would not be unreasonable.

 

[Grkgod36]

Yup he's probably hiding in the sand give him time

 

[GimpyFin]

I had a solorensis that hid for over a week when I put him in the tank. Then one afternoon, he was just out and about with all the other fish.

 

[Dimammy]

UPDATE: FINALLY!
Yesterday after a full 21 days, the Christmas wrasse appeared looking healthy as can be. He's since been mostly hanging around the backside of the tank but I've seen him at nearly every feeding time. I'm surprised as heck as I had given up hope.

 

[hkgar]

Typical of a new Wrasse. Glad to here he/she is all right.

 

[pinnatus]

If you think about it, they are usually caught on the other side of the world, in a different time zone. It is normal for them to be asleep during our waking hours. It takes time to adjust to a new time schedule. I think that is the deal with wrasses.

 

[jd371]

Once it gets adjusted it will have a schedule when it will come out and when it goes to sleep. My Melanarus comes out right after the lights come on anytime between 7:30 - 8 and goes to sleep before the lights go off between 8 - 8:30.