Thats actually pretty typical of wrasses that rely on sand for cover. I had a Christmas Wrasse (I know they differ in behavior) that wouldn't eat at first...it turned out that he just had a preference for live food. @carri10 have you tried live food like white worms or grindal worms? Most fish cant resist and thats an unbelievably healthy diet!For fish with a reputation for not eating or frightening too easily, I actually use a longer QT period than that recommended by our protocols.
For example, on June 28 I received a shipment that was practically destroyed by a fork lift accident at the Fed Ex distribution facility. While the Copper band butterfly and a flasher wrasse were DOA, the Ornate Leopard wrasse and the two Zebra Dartfish were still kicking. I placed the three in an established QT containing pvc fittings and a large tupperware container with non-calcium-based sand about 3 inches deep.
The two dartfish immediately started eating while the Leopard Wrasse immediately buried in the sand.
For days, the only way I could determine if the wrasse was alive was by stirring the sand to arouse him.
Finally, the wrasse started coming out for a brief time on his own. Now, almost 2 weeks later, he is staying out of the sand for several hours at a time. All now seem comfortable in the tank.
I have not yet started the copper treatment. Instead, I used the time to get the three fish to eat consistently. All are eating pellets voraciously.
I will still use the 30-day copper and prazi treatment protocol starting in the next day or two. Although the fish appear healthy, I do not want to take the risk they are carriers. The other fish in my display tank don't need any risk of acquiring a potentially deadly parasite.