Hiding Wrasse and Half Acan

Green star · May 20, 2019

Three days ago I bought a Melanurus wrasse. They had a little trouble fishing him out of the tank because this guy was fantastic at hiding under the sand. As soon as I released him into the tank after acclimation, this guy jetted off so quickly I lost track of him. I didn't see him for days. Finally, today as I was feeding I saw him poke out his head from under the sand. He ate a good bit before returning to this little crevice. His breathing and doesn't look pained and he moved fine. No ick. When a piece of shrimp fell on him he flicked it off with his fin. Nobody in my tank has the size or attitude to bully him. What is he doing? Also, this Acan is confusing me. When I first bought him he looked normal, but when I had a dip in water quality I gave him to someone to babysit. Since I got him back last week one part of his disk seems to be just skeleton. I'm not sure if he's just been damaged in that area or what, but I'd like to hear your suggestions.

Ron Reefman · May 21, 2019

The wrasse is just acclimating to the new environment. Give it a few days to a week and I think he'll be OK.

As to the coral, it looks damaged or dying. Will it come back? IMHO 50:50... in my tank... 2:98 against as I have given up on keeping acans.

gearhead · May 21, 2019

I have a flash wrasse he disappeared for 3weeks never saw him I looked he never came out for feeding then one day he was out swimming very skinny I don't know what happened but the other fish bullied him because they thought he was new.

Green star · May 21, 2019

Ron Reefman said:
The wrasse is just acclimating to the new environment. Give it a few days to a week and I think he'll be OK.

As to the coral, it looks damaged or dying. Will it come back? IMHO 50:50... in my tank... 2:98 against as I have given up on keeping acans.

You're probably right about the wrasse. If the Acan is dying, it's sure taking it's sweet time about it. The rest looks fine. It inflates, eats, and responds to stimuli. In this picture it is somewhat curled up because I moved him for the photo. My other Acans are groovy.