Wrasse experts please help

[ReefKeeper2009]

I recently purchased a naokos fairy wrasse off of the divers den. He arrived in good shape. I acclimated him for almost two hours before releasing home into the main tank. I don't qt fairy wrasses it seems to have a negative effect on them. Back to point he immediately went and hid and I have not seen him since Tuesday. I'm puzzled because I have never had a fairy wrasse fontina. His tankmates are orange shoulder tang, lineatus wrasse, rhomboid wrasse, flame wrasse, mystery wrasse, labouts wrasse , and a mcoskers wrasse. Everybody gets along with each with a few chases here and there.tank is a 120g mostly lps dominated. Any help would be appreciated. Tony

 

[snorvich]

In the future, you might consider social acclimation by putting him in an acrylic cage attached to the side of the tank.

 

[ReefKeeper2009]

Thank you for the suggestion Steve. I think I'll go to home depot after the new year and construct one. Should I wait a couple more days? Or should I contact live aquaria with the bad news? Thanks Tony

 

[bradleyj]

If he has only been hiding since tuesday, I would wait. I'm sure he is just scared and he should come out in a day or 2. If you need a pic of an acclimation container for reference, let me know.

 

[ReefKeeper2009]

Thanks bradleyj if you could send me the schematics that would be awesome. It's weird because I have never had a wrasse hide like this before. They all come out and eat with in a day. Anyways thank you again Tony

 

[btkrausen]

I just ordered a nice acclimation cage per postings on another forum. It looks very nice, and was only like 35 shipped.

 

[LKGRenegade22]

I've had fairy wrasses hide for a good week before I got my own acclimation box.

However just seeing mystery wrasse listed with those others make me cringe.

 

[ReefKeeper2009]

Funny thing is about the mystery wrasse is he doesn't bully anybody. In fact if I were to pick the boss of the tank the rhomboid wrasse would be it. When introduced the Naoko wrasse no other fish paid attention to it. Anyways rest assured it wasn't the mystery wrasse. Tony

 

[bradleyj]

Here is a couple of pictures of mine. It was built by a RC member for me a couple of years ago. He doesn't build them anymore, he became too busy with his work. I have a pvc elbow in there just so the newcomer can have a place to hide when he is overwhelmed.

 

[ReefKeeper2009]

Thanks bradleyj I think I can build one off of the photos you showed me. Thanks Tony

 

[snorvich]

One of the important aspects is to allow flow through the acclimation box. This will allow you to feed the inhabitant while feeding the tank. FYI.

 

[btkrausen]

Nice pics. The only I bought looks exactly like that, and I'll be using the elbow idea for hiding as well.

You add more fish than I do, so I won't use it as often, but it'll be good once I start adding multiple wrasses.

 

[snorvich]

You add more fish than I do, so I won't use it as often, but it'll be good once I start adding multiple wrasses.

Actually I add fish very rarely. But it works great!

 

[albano]

I've had fairy wrasses hide for a good week before I got my own acclimation box.

+1 my Naokoaes took time to come out...But doing great... in less than 6 months, he's more than an inch bigger, and displaying for my female Flames. He is also now one of the most aggressive, of 20+ wrasses in my 450g DT

 

[ReefKeeper2009]

Thanks steve I saw that in bradley's design. Tony

 

[NyReefNoob]

i usually always try to put them in a critter cage for a day or two when introduced. lets other fish see them and them see the other fish/ ive got a big ole mean super male flame wrasse that choose's who he will let in the tank

 

[btkrausen]

Actually I add fish very rarely. But it works great!

Oh sorry, was meaning that towards Brad, as I've seen him add quite a few wrasses recently I'm excited about using it.

 

[LKGRenegade22]

You can use a small plastic critter cage if you don't have an acclimation box, just drill a ton of holes in it.

I had a beautiful mystery wrasse out of Vanuatu and everyone on here warned me about him flipping one day. He was the model citizen for a year then one morning I found him attacking my big solar fairy so he had to go. I don't mean just chasing, I mean biting holes and ripping off mouthfuls of scales.

 

[btkrausen]

Man, that sucks. I'm staying away from Mystery Wrasses, them seem to have a bad rep. They are nice looking fish though.

 

[huskerreef]

I would agree with the others on the Naokae, mine hid out for several days as well. Once he settled in he is a vary hardy fish, been through a total reaquascape that claimed the lives of several of his tank mates and did very well with a move from my 240 to my 620. One of my favorites, hopefully he is coming out now for you