Missing Cleaner Wrasse

Jesshika

Jesshika

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Nov 10, 2007
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Los Angeles, California
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After getting my 40 gal setup with my already established 80 Lbs of live sand and 65 Lbs of live rock, I decided to restock my tank again since my fight with the aiptasia. So I completely took down my tank and added the rock and sand from my 25 gal. It has been setup for about two weeks so far. I bought an Alardii clownfish today and a cleaner wrasse. Both were doing fine and eating the frozen brine that I was feeding and then I left for not even a half hour. When I came back there was no trace of the cleaner wrasse anywhere. I checked the levels and ammonia, nitrates and nitrites were at 0 and none of the cleanup crew was eating him. Are they notorious for hiding in live rock or something because I haven't seen him anywhere. The clownfish is doing great though.
 
Why did you purchase a cleaner wrasse?

Fun Facts for anyone wanting a cleaner wrasse.........

"The Cleaner Wrasses, of which there are five described species in the genus Labroides, are classified as obligatory feeders. This means they obtain all or virtually all of their nutrition by consuming parasites and other debris from the bodies, fins, and mouths of other fish. Just as their name describes, they are cleaner fish whose entire lifestyle consists of (and relies on) a symbiotic relationship with other fish.

The loss rate of captive specimens of Cleaner Wrasses has been astronomical with almost all cleaner wrasses dying within a few days to a few weeks, ultimately of starvation. Today, many marine biologists and other marine specialists study the cleaner wrasses intently, exploring their role in their environment and their impact on the marine ecosystem.

A few extremely dedicated enthusiasts have been willing to devote the time and means necessary to provide these fish with what they need to survive and thrive in captivity. However the success rate is minimal and such a specialized dedicated effort is beyond the interest and scope of the most marine hobbyists, even most advanced marine enthusiasts. Consequently, cleaner wrasses are generally considered not sustainable in the home marine aquarium. "
 
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Because finding one that will eat prepared/frozen food is more difficult than finding a Mandarin that eats prepared foods. If you purchased it thinking it would prevent the need for QT'ing fish, then that was in error. I would like to know what information stated that just 2 fish could sustain a cleaner wrasse.

Jesshika said:
I understand that they eat parasites off other fish but if they do accept other foods such as frozen then why not? I read that if you have at least two other fish in with a cleaner then its fine.
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But he already eats the frozen food that I was giving him. I would not have bought him unless I knew he accepted frozen food and he did at the LFS. I didn't buy him thinking I wouldn't need to QT fish, I just like the type of fish a lot. Did you get your mandarin to accept frozen foods?
 
That's good to hear.

I spent a month with the Mandarin in QT and he took to prepared foods right off but since he has been in the display, there he doesn't need them. The copepod population keeps him busy eating a pod on average of every 3 seconds.

Jesshika said:
But he already eats the frozen food that I was giving him. I would not have bought him unless I knew he accepted frozen food and he did at the LFS. I didn't buy him thinking I wouldn't need to QT fish, I just like the type of fish a lot. Did you get your mandarin to accept frozen foods?
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ive had my cleaner wrasse for 8 months.....it eats anything i put in the tank....flake,shrimp and even pellets....i have 3 large tangs in my tank who are always stopping and spread their fins out for the wrasse to inspect......the wrasse was in a sorry state when i got him though..very skinny and pale but after a few weeks he was fat and thriving.....on the other hand i have read these fish should be kept in the wild where they do a vital job keeping parrasites under control..
 
I'm glad you found him. I also have a cleaner wrasse and I have had him for 2 years now. He eats anything I put into the tank and even cleans my arm! It's only since I had him that I now understand that they are better off in the wild so i won't be replacing him when he goes to that great big fish tank in the sky!!
 
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