Is it normal for my wrasses do scratch themselves on the sand

[Average joe the reefer]

My two wrasses a melanurus wrasse and a yellow corris wrasse keep swimming at the sand and then pulling away last second and scratching themselves on the sand. I have checked them for any signs of ich but there are no signs and none of the other fish in my tank do this just the two wrasses

 

[BellaD]

I have a six line wrasse that does the same thing every once in a while. Fish has always been bullet-proof in terms of Ich. Never seen a single spot on it. I think wrasses do this "Flashing" movement against sand and rocks looking for food.

Do continue to keep an eye on it though. Just in case.

 

[ngoodermuth]

If you can catch one to do a freshwater dip to check for flukes, just in case, may not be a bad idea.

But, in my experience it is normal for sand dwellers to do this, possibly to hunt for snacks in a the sand bed. My leopards and halichoeres all do this pretty regularly, and I’ve treated for flukes preventatively in all of them. I actually just recently relocated a fish, and freshwater dipped in transit, just to double check, and all was still good so I can say with certainty my tank is clear of flukes ;)

 

[Nem1clownfish2]

Can you post a video?

 

[Benzophun]

My

My two wrasses a melanurus wrasse and a yellow corris wrasse keep swimming at the sand and then pulling away last second and scratching themselves on the sand. I have checked them for any signs of ich but there are no signs and none of the other fish in my tank do this just the two wrasses

Radiant and Red Corris do it all the time, I think they’re stirring up the surface for pods or some kind of snack

 

[bluemag00]

both my melanurus wrasse and black leopard wrasse do it, but the melanurus does it more

 

[kevgib67]

My yellow corris wrasse does it as well.