http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1486086&page=102">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1486086&page=102</a>
I am not the "wrasse" police......so please take this as, "hey, check this out....just in case kinda stuff"......cause I am assuming no one would be stupid enough to not reaseach such a difficult fish first before acquiring....They must be with species only tanks, or at least, very<u> non-aggressive tank mates....</u>
This guy knows Wrasses more than wrasses know wrasses:
here's a quote from Kevin Kohen:
But here is some great info on Leopard Wrasses by [B]<span style="color: #ff0000">Kevin</span>[/B] in that thread:
Like other [I]Macropharyngodon spp.</em> these fishes can and do suffer from improper handling along with a multitude of other stressors that can affect them down the road. This genus of Labroid fishes requires very delicate handling, as they are very skittish and highly sensitive to light upon arrival, and must be acclimated properly to[B] temperature, specific gravity, and pH. They can go into shock very easily and are extremely sensitive to fluctuations in temperature, water chemistry and dissolved oxygen levels.[/B]
I have stated previously in numerous threads here on RC as well as in an article in the first ReefLife Magazine, this species surely is not for everyone. If one has the experience needed to properly acclimate and care for this species, as well as the proper environment to maintain them, and is willing and able to put the time in to feed these fishes relentlessly for several weeks until they are fully settled into their new home, they can do well long term.
Once acclimated properly, the best scenario is to maintain them in an old, very well established habitat that has a[B] 2”-4” layer fine sand to meet their burrowing instincts so they feel comfortable[/B]. Keeping them stress free with no harassment from other tank mates or from their owner will allow them time to adjust to their new environment and settle in with the least amount of stress.
Assuming one obtains quality fishes that have been harvested, handled and conditioned properly; the next challenging step is feeding and proper diet. These fishes hunt for food almost constantly but will soon rely more and more on supplemented foods. Feeding these fishes throughout the day with the proper foods along with maintaining them in very stable, [B]clean water conditions at temperatures of 76 to 77 degrees is a must, as they do not fare well at elevated water temperatures. Supplementation of small frozen mysis as well as live and frozen artemia is critical[/B]. This can be accomplished by enriching freshly thawed and drained frozen food in Amino Acid and other vitamin supplements. There are plenty of quality enrichment products available and their use at every feeding is extremely important to help boost the fishes’ immune system and allows them to regain their strength.
Last but not least, and in my opinion the most critical, is having the proper time to feed them throughout the day for the first few weeks or even for the first month. Offering very small [B]quantities of food ten or more times per day will provide them with the nutrition needed to get them through the critical first few weeks of their transition into[/B] their new environment.
These are the steps that have worked well for me over the years, and all of them are critical, playing an important role in determining how this species will fare long term in the home aquaria.
Regards,
__________________
[B]<span style="color: #ff0000">Kevin</span>[/B] [B]<span style="color: #ff0000">Kohen</span>[/B]
Director of LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith
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