When do I start worrying about wrasse?

[Mikemilly245]

Purchased Blue Leapord wrasse Jan 20. Was fine first day but around the time lights were about to cut off I saw him dive into the sand , have not seen him since.

I’ve read that it’s not uncommon for them to disappear for weeks even up to a month so I haven’t been worried. Figured he was out at night scavenging or something getting acclimated

Well it’s now been over a month and I’m starting to get worried. At what point has it been TOO long? When do I start digging in the sand ? I hope I didn’t wait too long

 

[nicisareefer]

My blue streak cleaner wrasse was being bullied by the fish in my tank, so it disappeard into the rockwork, I didn't see it for another few months and then it was out swimming around and eating.

 

[Mikemilly245]

My blue streak cleaner wrasse was being bullied by the fish in my tank, so it disappeard into the rockwork, I didn't see it for another few months and then it was out swimming around and eating.

Wow no kidding ?? Like 3 months or longer ? I’m thinking about getting a baby monitor solely for seeing that fish when I’m not home haha. It’s one of my favorites and I’ll be devastated if it’s gone

 

[Biokabe]

When do I start digging in the sand ? I hope I didn’t wait too long

The answer to that particular question is, "Never."

There is only so much we can do for our fish. At some point, you just have to do what you can do and accept that doing anymore is actually just going to hurt the tank.

In the case of leopard wrasses... yes, you do just have to kind of leave them be. Trying to rip them out of the tank for intervention is just going to stress them out. Digging in the sand can release nasty toxins into your water, and if you do happen to come across them, you're just going to stress them out. And if they died, their remains have likely long since been consumed by your CUC. Even their skeleton is likely gone by this point.

The best you can do is continue to provide a quality and appropriate environment for them to live in and hope for the best.

 

[Reefering1]

The answer to that particular question is, "Never."

There is only so much we can do for our fish. At some point, you just have to do what you can do and accept that doing anymore is actually just going to hurt the tank.

In the case of leopard wrasses... yes, you do just have to kind of leave them be. Trying to rip them out of the tank for intervention is just going to stress them out. Digging in the sand can release nasty toxins into your water, and if you do happen to come across them, you're just going to stress them out. And if they died, their remains have likely long since been consumed by your CUC. Even their skeleton is likely gone by this point.

The best you can do is continue to provide a quality and appropriate environment for them to live in and hope for the best.

This.