Swalesi Basslet

[Eville]

I recently picked up a Swalesi Basslet at my LFS because I couldn't pass up the cheap price... Will I ever see him? He's been in the aquarium for a few days, and is a very healthy eater.. I suppose just wait until he is established.. and until then, would it be wise to put food towards where he hides to ensure he gets fed, or allow him to come to the front of the tank for food in hopes of him being more active? He has no problem eating when I do so.. I don't expect him to swim around like a tang as I've come to the realization of the species personality and habitat...Just looking for people who have experience with this fish!


Thanks
Jacob

 

[Scridifer]

A lot will depend on the tank-mates and also the kind of set-up you have - the more caves and 'hidey-holes' you have the more likely you are to see these basslets IME.

I've had one in my tank for about eight months and usually see him now and then before the tank lights come on and again now and then most evenings.

Curiously I blanked out the tank for three days a week or ten days ago for an algae problem and the Swalesii is out and about far more often since then! Go figure!

 

[dixiedog]

I have never owned Swalesi, but he sounds a lot like my L. Rubre ("Swissguard basslet"), who does a lot of open-water swimming once he's 100% comfortable in his surroundings. He will dart into a cave in an instant if startled, but doesn't stay in there long, even with several house guests around the tank. Not unlike many wrasses, actually.

I've had my L. Rubre for about fifteen months, and just upgraded my 29 to a 40B. He's all alone in the 40 right now, and is behaving exactly like you describe your L. Swalesi as doing. I didn't see him at all for a couple days, and now he is darting out for bites of food, then disappearing again. I miss him and hope to see more of him again soon.

 

[Sigmund]

Had mine for a couple of years happy, fat and healthy, but I am generally the only person who ever sees him. He has a route he tends to run through the rockwork, he is in the open only where there are overhangs. I have a lot of shy fish that have become open water swinmmers, Possum Wrasse, Sunset Anthia, Gold Assessor Basslet, but he does not appear he will ever be one.

Still a great fish, I assume he most be eating bristle worms or other things from the rocks as he is always so fat he appears ready to burst.

By the way my set-up is a 150 gallon reef with lots of caves and overhangs

 

[Eville]

Thanks a lot for the replies, and yes many caves in my tank. I have a 75 gallon mixed reef with a pair of Cherub angels and a pair of clowns.. So far I see him come out of his current hiding spot (behind all the caves you can see from the front of course) when I feed, but he'
s still only taking brine shrimp.. He is fairly small so I assume its just a waiting game with this little guy.. And as far as their size goes, I've heard about 3 inches, is that accurate?

 

[mandarinfanatic]

i have a pair of swalezis they are stunning.

they come out to feed and pop out here and there inbetween.

 

[dixiedog]

Thanks a lot for the replies, and yes many caves in my tank. I have a 75 gallon mixed reef with a pair of Cherub angels and a pair of clowns.. So far I see him come out of his current hiding spot (behind all the caves you can see from the front of course) when I feed, but he'
s still only taking brine shrimp.. He is fairly small so I assume its just a waiting game with this little guy.. And as far as their size goes, I've heard about 3 inches, is that accurate?

Have you tried mysis on him yet? My rubre will go after them with a vegeance.

3" is about right. BTW, according to this article http://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=272 your swalesi may be more secretive than other fish of the genus.

 

[Eville]

I will try mysis today, thanks for the help. The Swalesi is doing great so far still! Beautiful pair by the way Mandarin.

 

[mandarinfanatic]

I will try mysis today, thanks for the help. The Swalesi is doing great so far still! Beautiful pair by the way Mandarin.

thanks i love em. soak your mysis in a little aminomega from brghtwells and they love it

 

[Mstansbery]

Can you post of pic of the fish??