Where’s my fish?

Clemons123! · May 11, 2025

Hello all.
I have in my smaller tank
- 2 clowns
- bi color blenny
- goby shrimp pair
- mix of snails

Today I added more snails and 2 hermit crabs ( my pistol shrimp has been hunting my snails). I also got a yellow wrasse ( maybe 1”-1.5”). I now cannot find it… I will say it’s only been like 7 hours.

I checked behind the tank, the floor, etc.
I saw it can go in sand but I don’t see it. I’m worried my pistol could have somehow taken it

DrkNMighty · May 11, 2025

Some wrasses are sand sleepers. Assuming you are talking about Halichoeres chrysus? This wrasse is a sand sleeper and since you just introduced it today it is likely hiding in the sand somewhere. It is not uncommon for them to hide for the first few days. Do not try digging through the sand to find it as it will just stress it out more. Also, as with all wrasses make sure you have a tight fitting lid as they are jumpers.

david.hatton · May 11, 2025

Yeah your wrasses will be sleeping/hiding in the sand somewhere.
When i first got one I never saw him for about 2 day, I thought he was gone. But then he came out the next afternoon.

I don't know the sleeping schedule for all wrasses but I know mine doesn't get out of his bed til about 1pm

Clemons123! · May 11, 2025

DrkNMighty said:
Some wrasses are sand sleepers. Assuming you are talking about Halichoeres chrysus? This wrasse is a sand sleeper and since you just introduced it today it is likely hiding in the sand somewhere. It is not uncommon for them to hide for the first few days. Do not try digging through the sand to find it as it will just stress it out more. Also, as with all wrasses make sure you have a tight fitting lid as they are jumpers.

How deep would they dig? My pistol and goby pair have a decent tunnel system going.

I do have a glass lid. It just has about a 1/4 in or less of space on each side of the cube. Should I get something else ?

DrkNMighty · May 11, 2025

Clemons123! said:
How deep would they dig? My pistol and goby pair have a decent tunnel system going.

I do have a glass lid. It just has about a 1/4 in or less of space on each side of the cube. Should I get something else ?

I see most recommendations say to provide a 2-3 inch deep sandbed. Depending on your tank size it is possible the wrasses sleeping space might overlap with your piston and gobies tunnels.

That lid might be okay, but I can’t say for sure. I had a wrasse jump out of my tank when my lid only had a 3 in long by around 1/2 in wide or less gap. It was literally just a spot to put your fingers in to lift the lid and it still found a way. I now have a lid with zero gaps.