Leopard Wrasse won't make up his mind

Mjrjj23 · Mar 11, 2019

So I just added a Leopard wrasse along with a foxface, splendid dottyback and a melanarus to a 20 gal qt tank. I did order him so I was aware at the difficulty ahead and I think Im making progress and wanted everyones opinion.
So when first put in obviously straight for the sand he went. After 2-3 days out he came and seemed perfectly normal. Me like an idioy decided to do a water change that day and he hid again. So another 2 days went by then last night I seen him out again after lights went off and I hurried up and added some decapped brine and some reef frenzy. He appeared to be eating something and doing some grazing so obviously I was excited. Of course he went back to hiding that night for sleep and no sign of him again today. Is this normal behavior? I feel he is eating but thought strange that he was in and out in and out. Any recommendations ? Been feeding decapped brine, PE calamus, PE mysis, reef frenzy, and dumped some amphipods in as well with the rubble I have in there. 0

Mariette · Mar 11, 2019

No experience w leopard wrasse but I’ve had a yellow wrasse. Every stressful event caused him to disappear for days. Sometimes a full week even. Then, one day, he’d be out as if nothing ever happened :) just be careful when cleaning substrate cuz u never know where they are

Seanislav · Mar 11, 2019

Leopards in my experience can disappear for up to nearly two weeks, especially when introduced to a new system. I had a lot of rock work in my last DT, so stressful events post intro just had them hanging out in caves until the perceived threat had passed.

reef lover · Mar 12, 2019

Watch the melanarus. He might be sending him back into hiding.

Mjrjj23 · Mar 12, 2019

reef lover said:
Watch the melanarus. He might be sending him back into hiding.

I was worried about that.. havent noticed anything. Im trying to keep them all together to add them all together since Im expecting my blue hippo and angels are gonna be a little fiesty with new fish lol

Jesterrace · Mar 12, 2019

Leopards can vanish for days or weeks at a time. My Blue Star Leopard is very bold so I think that he never disappeared more than a couple of days early on and has been almost like clockwork ever since.

ca1ore · Mar 12, 2019

Not just that they can spend many days in the sand; many come with their clocks reversed so may initially sleep during your day and emerge at night. Eventually it will adapt, but it’s worth checking so that you can offer foods when it does emerge.