Ornate wrasse question

[littlefoxx]

Hey all, picked up a beautiful large ornate wrasse. He is stunning, eating frozen at LFS, and had been there 3 weeks. So I pulled thw trigger on him.

Dude dove straight into the sand. I know this is completely normal for wrasse. Just wondering when to be concerned if he hasnt come out for food?

 

[Slocke]

Hey all, picked up a beautiful large ornate wrasse. He is stunning, eating frozen at LFS, and had been there 3 weeks. So I pulled thw trigger on him.

Dude dove straight into the sand. I know this is completely normal for wrasse. Just wondering when to be concerned if he hasnt come out for food?

Leopard wrasse are like that (I am assuming this is the ornate leopard wrasse? Macropharyngodon ornatus). If it was eating and swallowing food then good chance it will come out in a day or two but they can spend weeks in the sand. Just leave it be for now. They are known to be sensitive for a reason so just give it it’s space.
And next time send up the bat signal #wrassenerds

 

[Tcook]

2+ weeks

 

[littlefoxx]

Leopard wrasse are like that (I am assuming this is the ornate leopard wrasse? Macropharyngodon ornatus). If it was eating and swallowing food then good chance it will come out in a day or two but they can spend weeks in the sand. Just leave it be for now. They are known to be sensitive for a reason so just give it it’s space.
And next time send up the bat signal #wrassenerds

Will do! And yes it is, forgot the leopard part! He is just gorgeous and Im excited for him to be out and about swimming! Got some good food for him too! My clowns and powder blue tang LOVE that new food! Still havnt seen my little eel though :sadface:

 

[littlefoxx]

2+ weeks

Good to know! Did a lot of research on this guy just never came across how long they can go in the sand! This guy is like 4 inches easy and just so vivid in his coloring!

 

[Tcook]

Good to know! Did a lot of research on this guy just never came across how long they can go in the sand! This guy is like 4 inches easy and just so vivid in his coloring!

I’ve had two viviens that each spent 2 weeks in the sand. It is nerve racking for sure. They both popped out like nothing had happened.

 

[littlefoxx]

I’ve had two viviens that each spent 2 weeks in the sand. It is nerve racking for sure. They both popped out like nothing had happened.

good to know! Just excited for him to be out in the opening

 

[AquaDaniel]

My black leopard wrasse spent 2 weeks in the sand. I did see it poking out its head at night for a few times maybe to check the environment lol. Just don’t disturb the sand and leave it there

 

[Pearse73]

I’ve had my ornate leopard wrasse for around a year and it is still skittish.
Beautiful fish but I can only watch from a distance except at feeding time.
Don’t be too concerned. It will likely start to explore the tank in a day or two.

 

[littlefoxx]

He came out! Isnt scared when I come up to the glass either. Meet Bullet :)

 

[Slocke]

He came out! Isnt scared when I come up to the glass either. Meet Bullet :)

So so beautiful!!

 

[JoJosReef]

Awesome! Glad she's out. Is that a transitioned ornatus or still female?

 

[littlefoxx]

Awesome! Glad she's out. Is that a transitioned ornatus or still female?

Not really sure, store said it was a he because of the size!

 

[JoJosReef]

Bat signal up!! #wrassenerds

Can't let a wrasse be sexed by size. I'm sure @Slocke @Tcook @SaltyT @i cant think can tell you by coloration.


@Petcrazyson could too, I imagine.

 

[littlefoxx]

Bat signal up!! #wrassenerds

Can't let a wrasse be sexed by size. I'm sure @Slocke @Tcook @SaltyT @i cant think can tell you by coloration.


@Petcrazyson could too, I imagine.

Ah interesting! I have a melanarus wrasse too in my other tank. I researched the heck out of this one but only for care and stuff like that, wasnt specifically looking for genders! Here is a better picture

 

[Slocke]

I think its transitioning as it still appears to have a b it of a black spot on the dorsal fin. Full male would not have one. But I am unsure and this wrasse is more difficult than the other leopards.

 

[littlefoxx]

I think its transitioning as it still appears to have a b it of a black spot on the dorsal fin. Full male would not have one. But I am unsure and this wrasse is more difficult than the other leopards.

Will it transition to full male then?

 

[Slocke]

Will it transition to full male then?

Yep
Wrasse only go female to male
There is no going back

 

[SaltyT]

This is a tough species to sex, yours is a mature female.

 

[littlefoxx]

This is a tough species to sex, yours is a mature female.

So she will be a he soon or does she remain a she? Also I havnt seen her today. Is that normal? Im at work until 10 so she probably will be in the sand then, but when I looked for her at 12 I couldnt find her, lights were on.