ornate leopard wrasse should I??

[mscarpena]

My LFS has an ornate leopard wrasse and has had it since 10-24-10. It is full grown at about 5-6" and is just beautiful. It is going for $59.00. It is housed with other wrasses and wondering if you think it will get a long with a lobuck wrasse because I just bought one. I really want it, but know they are hard to care for. My understanding is they are poor shippers and hard to get to eat. My thought is since he has had it for 2 months I would think those major hurtles are past, correct?? I have no aggressive fish and a lot of pods, worms, and other things running around my tank. It is a 75 gallon reef and was able to keep a mandarin for about 4 years. I am just looking for your experience or your thought. It did look a tad lean. I also did not ask him to feed it, but I would assume it is. I will definitely observe it eating before buying if I decide to. Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions. :fish2::fish2:

 

[aquaph8]

If its eating and your tank has adequate sand bed and a top, I say go for it. The fact that its been around a while is a definite plus.

 

[snorvich]

I agree. Make sure the LFS feeds PE mysis. If it eats that, go for it. My leopards also eat black worms, fish roe, and copepods.

 

[small alien]

Get it fast! Are you at the LFS yet? Hurry!

I think that, other than potential bullying, yes, you are past the main hurdles in terms of shipping and eating. Good luck.

 

[AfricaOffroad]

My ornatus is a strange fish.
I bought mine after it had been in the lfs for a few months.
Was eating well there and when it was placed in my DT continued to do so.

Then after a few months it suddenly stopped eating (off the rocks and frozen & pellet foods). Got very nervous and just sulked around the tank.
Caught it out by hand and placed it in my 4ft quarantine set up.
Hid for a few days, eventually came out, swims around but will not eat. Its been at least a month and this fish still will not eat.
Other day I caught it out, again with my hand, held it a bit and then it swam off, again, pacing the tank but not eating.

Its like its brain is fried, its not acting normally. I'm afraid, its just a matter of time before I loose it.

DAMN !!!

 

[mscarpena]

Thanks for the thoughts.
My sand bed is about 2 inches or so. I think I would maybe add a little more since the fish is 5-6". Not sure if the LFS feed PE, but has a sign for it. I also only feed about 3-4 times per week very sparingly, but have a lot and I mean a lot of stuff running around my rock work. That would only maybe be the other issue. What do you guys think.

Africaoffroad did you treat for internal parasites that could be your issue.

Snorvish what if it eats just a regular mix of frozen foods should I still feed PE. I feed about 8-10 different types of frozen foods per week. I'm not betting it will eat all types of frozen foods, but hopefully after a while it will eat the majority of them.

 

[snorvich]

If it eats AND hunts you should be good to go. I suggested PE mysis because that is irresistible to leopards if they are going to eat at all.

 

[small alien]

Why do you feed so little?

 

[mscarpena]

Just because I do not want any issue with nitrates or phosphates and I have such a huge pod population that my fish get fed even if I do not feed them. I only have 2 small gobies and 2 clowns in a 75 with about 125LBS of rock. I am actually hoping this fish will reduce the pod population because I have so many that they eat some of my zoos from time to time. All of my fish are fat and happy.

 

[small alien]

Cool.