Thickest Sand for a Leopard Wrasse

[Manny’s Reef]

Running bare bottom right now but I really miss the look of sand. What is the thickest stuff I can get that still allows for a leopard wrasse? I don't want the fine stuff that blows all over the place because I have a ton of flow right now. Looking for a happy median between high flow and sand not blowing around everywhere.

 

[OrionN]

Sand sleeping wrasses do not "dive into the sand" like a torpedo or like us diving into the water and hit the bottom and break our neck. Rather the shake and move the sand and move under the sand surface.
What I recommend is to use coarser sand then but coral rubble on top and in area of high flow. This will keep the dand from blowing all over the place.

 

[JGT]

Running bare bottom right now but I really miss the look of sand. What is the thickest stuff I can get that still allows for a leopard wrasse? I don't want the fine stuff that blows all over the place because I have a ton of flow right now. Looking for a happy median between high flow and sand not blowing around everywhere.

I like the special grade of Caribsea. Just right. Not too light, not too heavy. Wrasses and sand sifting gobies love it.

 

[Manny’s Reef]

I like the special grade of Caribsea. Just right. Not too light, not too heavy. Wrasses and sand sifting gobies love it.

Thanks a ton for the recommendation.

 

[Manny’s Reef]

Sand sleeping wrasses do not "dive into the sand" like a torpedo or like us diving into the water and hit the bottom and break our neck. Rather the shake and move the sand and move under the sand surface.
What I recommend is to use coarser sand then but coral rubble on top and in area of high flow. This will keep the dand from blowing all over the place.

I watched my guy wiggle (dive) his way into the sand. I actually caught it on video. And by coarse, I think you actually mean finer right? Otherwise, the statement seems contradictory.

 

[OrionN]

I watched my guy wiggle (dive) his way into the sand. I actually caught it on video. And by coarse, I think you actually mean finer right? Otherwise, the statement seems contradictory.

Sorry I was unclear. Coarser than sugar fine sand, then even larger gain on top where there are a lot of current

 

[Manny’s Reef]

Sorry I was unclear. Coarser than sugar fine sand, then even larger gain on top where there are a lot of current

Got it.

 

[codenfx]

I like the special grade of Caribsea. Just right. Not too light, not too heavy. Wrasses and sand sifting gobies love it.

I agree with the special grade. My wrasses and diamond goby has no issues with it.

 

[blaxsun]

My wrasses love Oolite. Me, not so much. So I'd second the recommendation for special grade.

 

[LiverockRocks Verified Sponsor]

Running bare bottom right now but I really miss the look of sand. What is the thickest stuff I can get that still allows for a leopard wrasse? I don't want the fine stuff that blows all over the place because I have a ton of flow right now. Looking for a happy median between high flow and sand not blowing around everywhere.

Another option would be diver harvested sand from the Gulf. Our sand is perfect for wrasses and jawfish. It’s not only coarse enough not to blow around in high flow, but it’s full of micro critters for wrasses to hunt.

 

[Manny’s Reef]

Found a video of my wrasse burrowing

 

[homer1475]

Sand sleeping wrasses do not "dive into the sand" like a torpedo or like us diving into the water and hit the bottom and break our neck. Rather the shake and move the sand and move under the sand surface.

I for one have most definitely seen some of my my wrasses "torpedo" into the sand when spooked. Even had one leopard dive so hard it broke it's beak on the bottom of the tank. Sad day as I had that leopard for about 10 years before I had to put her down as she was wasting away because she could not eat.

Unlikely, yes, but it can, and does happen.

Special grade is my sand of choice. It does blow around initially, but after a while with some bacteria film on it, it stays in place.

 

[mfinn]

I use Nature's Ocean No.1 Aragonite sand for my Leopard Wrasses.
It's fairly cheap and while it does blow around a little when I have my Vortechs on a steady flow, it's much better than some.

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