Tanaka's Pygmy Wrasse care?

[PaxRoma]

I acquired a Wetmorella tanakai from Diver's Den about 2 weeks ago. Did not see him come out for a week. This week I saw him peeking out from the rocks for a few seconds. Looked up online and did not see much info regarding care for this species. Anyone have any information or experience on this species? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks guys

 

[snorvich]

They eat mysis and most other meaty foods. Somewhat cryptic but over time will relax and you will see him more often. Very peaceful.

 

[iamwrasseman]

2nd that here ,great community fish for a peaceful tank .

 

[small alien]

I had a nigropinnata for about a year before it jumped through a tiny opening. Very cool, no nonsense kind of fish. Very cryptic except at feeding time. I read they are cave dwellers in nature and pretty much live in the live rock. I don't have any aggressive fish that would have kept it hidden.

That's a beautiful fish you got there. Good luck. Makes me miss my little bug-eyed friend. Cheers.

 

[PaxRoma]

I have never seen him come out for feeding and its has been more than 2 weeks. I must wonder how much longer will he last..
He was listed as 'easy care'...

 

[RC Slocum Rules]

How close is the color of your fish to the DFS pic?

 

[snorvich]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15692949#post15692949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RC Slocum Rules
How close is the color of your fish to the DFS pic?

My experience with DFS pictures has been 100% match.

 

[snorvich]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15692532#post15692532 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PaxRoma
I have never seen him come out for feeding and its has been more than 2 weeks. I must wonder how much longer will he last..
He was listed as 'easy care'...

I would not worry. I have had one for well over a year and I see him perhaps once a week at most.

 

[bradleyj]

I agree with Steve. I've had mine for almost 8 months now and he is seen more often now, but back when I got him it was maybe once a week.

 

[PaxRoma]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15692949#post15692949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RC Slocum Rules
How close is the color of your fish to the DFS pic?

its WYSIWYG but he faded much in color I guess because he hasn't been feeding.
thanks for the encouragement guys. I guess Ill wait and see

 

[Urchinhead]

It could also be because there is no female in the tank with him... Not fully sure of that as I am by no means a wrasse expert but I do have a wrasse dominant tank and after doing quite a bit of research on them I found that certain ones will fade without a mate or other like type. Usually the blues and flashers though...

 

[small alien]

I wouldn't worry. The color on mine came and went. Also, sometimes would show 4 stripes which i believe is juvi and sometimes 2 depending on time of day and mood. Mine was a tenacious feeder and I don't believe the personality of this species is meek by any means. I would guess it's getting food if it's still alive.

 

[PaxRoma]

just an update that he still doesn't come out to eat at feeding time, and yet he still hanging around. I don't know what he manage to dig up in the aquarium?

 

[Beaun]

I have the yellow lined/banded possum wrasse, I have had it for a few months now and I see it out much more often then when I first got it. I recently got a melanurus wrasse and that seems to have brought the possum wrasse out more, which I find interesting. It rarely swims in the open, but I do see it throughout the day swiming in and out of the rockwork, great little fish. It is the only fish in my tank that wont accept NSL pellets but gladly accepts mysis.

 

[Sigmund]

I have a yellow banded Possum Wrasse that I have had for about 3 years. Had him for a year in my nano tank, and is now in my 150gallon. Always spent most of his time in the rock work, will come out and display a little in the evenings when the actins are on, and the sun is setting (ambient light hits the one half of my tank).

I have had fun putting a little piece of mirror on the corner of my tank for a few hours every couple of weeks. All the fish will go and display against their reflection, the Possum Wrasse is one of them that really get's into it. He forgets he is suppose to be cryptic and stays out and displays.

As mentioned I don't do this regularly as I don't want to mess with their brain, and create aggression problems in the tank.

 

[iamwrasseman]

if he isn't responding during feeding time you may want to get some live brine shrimp ,they are irresistible and can get them to start eating in captivity which is a major hurdle . you can keep putting very small amounts in the tank throughout the day until he responds .be sure and feed the others their regular feeding before you start brine and give him some room ,don't be intrusive ,stay away from the tank until he gets settled down .

 

[PaxRoma]

I just want to give an update on the fish. After 1 year, he's still around in my tank, and yet I never see him.

 

[Kungpaoshizzi]

Hey PaxRoma, just wondering if his habit has changed? I just ordered one, so any other tips you might have would be appreciated! Also wondering if these might nip at feather dusters, but there's not a lot of info on the net about these colorful individuals

Thanks!

 

[snorvich]

I see mine 3-4 times daily at a minimum but he is not an obvious "feeder" like my other fish. Still, I greatly enjoy him/her. Going on four years now.

 

[Big E]

Are these more timid than the other Wetmorella versions? I've seen the other species in person running in and around the rock all day.