To buy or not to buy.

[Nembo]

There's an Aussie red leopard wrasse[choati]in my local store.Been checking the web and getting different opinions on wether these are easy to keep or difficult.Don't want to waste so much cash,£70[about $140], if it's impossible to keep.Any advice?

 

[bullitr]

There's an Aussie red leopard wrasse[choati]in my local store.Been checking the web and getting different opinions on wether these are easy to keep or difficult.Don't want to waste so much cash,£70[about $140], if it's impossible to keep.Any advice?

Good price
If you take care of a tamarin wrasse its very similar
Than taking care of a leopard wrasse, its more delicate.

I never had luck with it but I only Try it once lasted 4 hour in my sump.

 

[WayneL333]

I never had luck with it but I only Try it once lasted 4 hour in my sump.

Maybe that's why. They need a sand bed, because like all leopards they bury themselves in the sand at night and when frightened or stressed. Chaoti's are very difficult to keep, however it is possible. There's a lfs near me that has had one in their DT for awhile now...over a year.

 

[bullitr]

To buy or not to buy.

Maybe that's why. They need a sand bed, because like all leopards they bury themselves in the sand at night and when frightened or stressed. Chaoti's are very difficult to keep, however it is possible. There's a lfs near me that has had one in their DT for awhile now...over a year.

I had 4"-5" deep sand bed in the sump when I bought the choati not a single one survive from many that the wholesaler brought in.

If I see one on the store that's looks good I'll probably buy it

 

[WayneL333]

I had 4"-5" deep sand bed in the sump when I bought the choati not a single one survive from many that the wholesaler brought in.

Oh really? I never knew of anyone keeping sand in their sump. Must be another reason then. Like I mentioned, very difficult to keep.

 

[bullitr]

I had 4"-5" deep sand bed in the sump when I bought the choati not a single one survive from many that the wholesaler brought in.

If I see one on the store that's looks good I'll probably buy it

I have a lot of wrasses before so I have to acclimate them properly. Believe or not I am better with leopards, tamarins, mandarin, moorish idol than any large angel

 

[hanig]

No way Choats are easy to keep.I've kept reef fish for 25 years and the Choats is the most frustrating fish I've to keep .I've tried the Choats 6 times and all died in less than a month .I was obsessed with them and tried every combination of acclimation methods,they all ate,yet all dead .Read the leopard wrasse primer on Reef Central for other experiences .They all end badly.If you decide to get one please post your experience.I will never buy one again.

 

[Nembo]

Thanks for the info.Always prefer other hobbyists firsthand advice.Judging from the above think i'll leave it there.Nice looking fish though.

 

[ca1ore]

Other Leopards are much easier.

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

I've read slight fluctuations in PH and Alk can send a healthy acclimated chaoti into a death spiral. Tough fish to keep.

 

[aandfsoccr04]

I had one that came in looking really good and was dead within 24 hours. I wouldn't buy one again as everyone seems to have similar experiences and I've heard of no one keeping them for several years which is what I aim for with my fish. It sure was pretty!
RIP: