Just got a cleaner wrasse today and he is eating, swims fine, and looks very healthy but then all of a sudden he just goes in the rock work and lays down in a little hole. Is this normal?
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Yes this is normal, every fish when new will hide at some point. It’s likely just adjusting, I’ve had wrasses hang out and about for the first few hours of the first day of being in the tank and then out of nowhere they just go into hiding for the rest of the day.Just got a cleaner wrasse today and he is eating, swims fine, and looks very healthy but then all of a sudden he just goes in the rock work and lays down in a little hole. Is this normal?
Good to know. Same thing is happening with my new fire goby he was swimming and eating normally yesterday but today he’s just hiding under a rock and doesn’t come out to eat. Should I check on him or just leave him?Yes this is normal, every fish when new will hide at some point. It’s likely just adjusting, I’ve had wrasses hang out and about for the first few hours of the first day of being in the tank and then out of nowhere they just go into hiding for the rest of the day.
He’s fine now and is eating wellI’ve read These can be very hard fish to keep long term
depends geographically where it’s from some are easier to keep with less dietary demands .
some of these fish require large amounts of parasites from many fish to sustain .
@vetteguy53081 perhaps you can clarify
Never mind he’s fine nowGood to know. Same thing is happening with my new fire goby he was swimming and eating normally yesterday but today he’s just hiding under a rock and doesn’t come out to eat. Should I check on him or just leave him?
I’ve had mine 8 years now and never did hide until each eveningJust got a cleaner wrasse today and he is eating, swims fine, and looks very healthy but then all of a sudden he just goes in the rock work and lays down in a little hole. Is this normal?
Cleaner Wrasses are difficult no matter their geographical origin. The ones that are easiest are the ones bred in captivity.I’ve read These can be very hard fish to keep long term
depends geographically where it’s from some are easier to keep with less dietary demands .
some of these fish require large amounts of parasites from many fish to sustain .
@vetteguy53081 perhaps you can clarify
Mine only hides in the evening as well.I’ve had mine 8 years now and never did hide until each evening
then you got a normal one LOLMine only hides in the evening as well.
Thats always been said but never found it true of common cleaner wrasses. Mine 9 yo cleans fish, eats flake, frozen, even nori and has never been an issue. I have had several (all wild) in the past 30 years and all the same. Now Hawaiian cleaner wrasses are a whole different story and one of the few fish, along with purple queen anthias, I am convinced can't survive in a tank for any period of time. I'm guilty of killing two of the cleaners in the process of trying years ago.Cleaner Wrasses are difficult no matter their geographical origin. The ones that are easiest are the ones bred in captivity.
You likely got lucky and your LFS got them feeding before you got them. I’ve seen the nightmare side of Cleaner Wrasses and those healthy ones that thrive are rather hard to come across unless an LFS knows certain tricks such as Masstik and other techniques.Thats always been said but never found it true of common cleaner wrasses. Mine 9 yo cleans fish, eats flake, frozen, even nori and has never been an issue. I have had several (all wild) in the past 30 years and all the same. Now Hawaiian cleaner wrasses are a whole different story and one of the few fish, along with purple queen anthias, I am convinced can't survive in a tank for any period of time. I'm guilty of killing two of the cleaners in the process of trying years ago.
Mines the same except for the eating out of your hand partThats always been said but never found it true of common cleaner wrasses. Mine 9 yo cleans fish, eats flake, frozen, even nori and has never been an issue. I have had several (all wild) in the past 30 years and all the same. Now Hawaiian cleaner wrasses are a whole different story and one of the few fish, along with purple queen anthias, I am convinced can't survive in a tank for any period of time. I'm guilty of killing two of the cleaners in the process of trying years ago.
Probably just luck... he was pretty much just out of the bag at LFS from Quality Marine although QM back then actually meant "quality".You likely got lucky and your LFS got them feeding before you got them. I’ve seen the nightmare side of Cleaner Wrasses and those healthy ones that thrive are rather hard to come across unless an LFS knows certain tricks such as Masstik and other techniques.