Melanarus missing....again.

[USMA36]

I added a Juvenile Melanarus on Friday morning. He was fine the entire day happily exploring his new home. Its now Monday and I have not seen him since. This is my 3rd Melanarus wrasse. My first Melanarus i had for about 2.5 years when one day he just showed up dead. Nobody else just him. I tried again about 6 months ago. Added the wrasse never saw him again after day 1. Could something in the sand be poisoning them? My average depth is about 4 inches. I really like these fish. I can't understand why suddenly I have a problem keeping them. Tank is 3 years old and parameters are all stable and well within normal limits. Any advice?

 

[El_Guapo13]

I added a Juvenile Melanarus on Friday morning. He was fine the entire day happily exploring his new home. Its now Monday and I have not seen him since. This is my 3rd Melanarus wrasse. My first Melanarus i had for about 2.5 years when one day he just showed up dead. Nobody else just him. I tried again about 6 months ago. Added the wrasse never saw him again after day 1. Could something in the sand be poisoning them? My average depth is about 4 inches. I really like these fish. I can't understand why suddenly I have a problem keeping them. Tank is 3 years old and parameters are all stable and well within normal limits. Any advice?

Is your tank lidless or does it have a lid? If lidless, did you look around the floor of the tank to see if it jumped out and died? Of course, if it jumped out and you have anything like a dog or cat you probably would not find the corpse as it was probably enjoyed as a tasty snack.

 

[Jesterrace]

Is your tank lidless or does it have a lid? If lidless, did you look around the floor of the tank to see if it jumped out and died? Of course, if it jumped out and you have anything like a dog or cat you probably would not find the corpse as it was probably enjoyed as a tasty snack.

Yup, the lid would be a definite factor. @ the OP, Melanurus can hide for days or weeks when first getting used to a new environment. So this isn't surprising. Some people have had theirs disappear and pop again 3 weeks later. Part of it is that they are getting used to a schedule that is opposite to their natural environment (their version of jet lag).

 

[Greybeard]

Love my Melanarus... great fish. I'm in the process of changing to a bare bottom tank, and hoping I can keep him stress free... we'll see.

They do hide, sometimes for an extended time... I wouldn't give up on him quite yet. He may well show up healthy and happy.

Topless, with a wrasse, is a bad idea... they're known jumpers. Yes, all fish can jump (well... I'd like to see a seahorse try it, but _most_ fish can jump), but wrasses are very well known for it.

Having a fish disappear a few days after it comes home is far from unusual these days... there are so many sick fishes being sold. Was he quarantined, by you, or by your LFS?

 

[USMA36]

I have right fitting mesh lids. Hopefully I will see him again soon.

 

[dduby]

Love my Melanarus... great fish. I'm in the process of changing to a bare bottom tank

what is your plan for sand for it to sleep?

 

[4FordFamily]

It’s completely normal for a Halichoeres wrasse to appear a bit for the first day and disappear in to the sand for a few days or even a few weeks in extreme cases. Fret not.

Juveniles aren’t as hardy as larger adults but they’re a pretty hardy fish.

 

[Greybeard]

what is your plan for sand for it to sleep?

No sand. He's been happily disappearing into the rocks for a few weeks now. We'll see.

 

[USMA36]

He has reappeared. Noticed him a couple days ago. All is well! Thank you.

 

[southerntnreefer]

great!!

I remember when i got my Red Coris, i saw him for a whole 15 minutes, then not again for a week... Same when i added my melanarus. When i moved him from the 90 to the 220, he did the same...