Insight wanted on juvenile leopard wrasse

[Pankney72]

Hey guys! Got a quick Q for the community.

Three days ago I decided to get a juvenile leopard wrasse somewhere around 2 cm. First day he spent in the sand. Next day and today he’s been briefly cruising the rocks before parking himself in the upper corner of the tank. Seems like a healthy guy other than this behavior. I’m mildly concerned since we’re on day three but I expect my wrasse to be hunting when they’re out and this little guy doesn’t seem interested.

My tank is an established 125 mixed reef, heavily rocked. Nitrate/phos ~5/.1 Parameters are stable at sea water levels otherwise.

only aggression is a 10cm melanarus wrasse that dashes at the young one very rarely. No fin tearing or signs of trauma though.

Your insight is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Cell]

If it's hanging out in the upper corner but looks fine, it's likely the aggression from melaranus. 2 cm is tiny.

 

[Crabby48]

Can you pull the melanurus and let the leopard settle. Leopard may not live long if stressed. Fish will know we are bigger power and won’t always be a jerk in front off us.

 

[Pankney72]

If it's hanging out in the upper corner but looks fine, it's likely the aggression from melaranus. 2 cm is tiny.

I’m afraid that might be the only explanation. The aggression is far milder than I’ve seen in some other instances but if it’s bad enough to stop the new guy from adjusting that’s all that matters.

without meaningful changes tomorrow I’ll probably just have to call it a failed experiment and bring him back to the store.

thanks

 

[Pankney72]

Can you pull the melanurus and let the leopard settle. Leopard may not live long if stressed. Fish will know we are bigger power and won’t always be a jerk in front off us.

Maybe with a fish trap… netting the melanarus with the rockwork will probably be an exercise in futility…

If I can’t get it eating live food tonight, rehoming the leopard is probably going to be my best move.

 

[Crabby48]

Maybe with a fish trap… netting the melanarus with the rockwork will probably be an exercise in futility…

If I can’t get it eating live food tonight, rehoming the leopard is probably going to be my best move.

Mel’s can get jerky as they mature. Don’t give up wrasse can be tricky. You got a great leopard and that can be hard. Traps are great. Can you section of part of your tank with eggcrate or something? Even a rubber maid or 20 gallon with couple old rocks.
May not be worth it but ideas.

Adding multiple wrasse is always a good idea. Spreads aggression and sometimes aggressor is stressed enough it will then behave.

 

[Pankney72]

Mel’s can get jerky as they mature. Don’t give up wrasse can be tricky. You got a great leopard and that can be hard. Traps are great. Can you section of part of your tank with eggcrate or something? Even a rubber maid or 20 gallon with couple old rocks.
May not be worth it but ideas.

Adding multiple wrasse is always a good idea. Spreads aggression and sometimes aggressor is stressed enough it will then behave.

Hahaha Reminds me of It’s Always Sunny. Cat in the wall huh? Better add more cats.

truth be told the thought occurred to me, but there’s no other wrasse in my area available till Tuesday at the earliest…

we’re gonna see if fresh hatched brine doesn’t settle everyone down.

I’ll keep the thread updated.

 

[Pankney72]

Update: local store doesn’t want the fish back and while brine fattened up the melanurus, it didn’t bring the leopard out.

today aggression appears to have cooled and baby leopard has been seen cruising through caves and tight crevices at the back of the tank. No foraging observed but he’s out of sight 95% of the time.

I think I’m gonna try and ride this one out.