cleaner wrasse?

[kimboslice]

anyone had success with one? my lfs gave me one for free with my black tang to prevent ick but then i read they dont do well in aquariums

i also notice he picks at my big clam, is this normal??

[Thurge]

I got one when my LFS got one shipped to them that they didn't request. I found that since they have such small mouths, the best way to feed them was to hand feed. That way I knew he was getting enough to eat. Otherwise while he was trying to orentate on a mysis some other wrasse would come zooming in and snag it before it got to eat.
TOTALLY normal IME for it tp pick on your clam. It was either the clams or the Cleaner in my tank and since it was a cleaner that was eating, it won and the clams left the tank.

[Scottkelly911]

they're not known for their longevity but are looked at more as a maintenance type of fish to prevent ich especially with tangs. I'd have to say the fact that your LFS gave you a cleaner wrasse with the purchase of your black tang shows that you've got a good LFS. Sure it's no big deal to throw in a 10 dollar fish with the purchase of a fish that costs a few hundred, but the fact that they do that and know that they are needed especially during the crucial acclimation time shows that they will go the extra bit to ensure you're happy and that your tang survives. Definitely +1 to your LFS in my book. Back to your Cleaner wrasse, they are difficult to keep long term because they require food all day long, so even though he might eat prepared foods such as mysis, they still usually starve to death based on they need to eat all day long similar to anthias. They are however extremely friendly fish, mine used to eat right out of my hand and would even pick at my arm for parasites (I don't THINK he found any lol). You might also want to ick up a 2 or 3 cleaner shrimp to help ensure your new prized fish stays healthy and clean if you don't already have them. Good Luck and congrats on your new fish.

[GoingPostal]

I had one as a rescue that made it about seven months in my tank then stopped eating and disappeared. Ate frozen mysis, beefheart and sometimes flake but I had zero parasites to support his natural diet. If you have a big tank with many fish they usually last longer. I fed him twice daily, three times daily when I first brought it home because it was close to death. Very active and tried to clean me if I stuck my hands in the tank.

[-jjla-]

The one I used to have loved cyclopeeze from a freezer bar (not freize dried). You could also try live rottifers.

[reefman8471]

I do not recommend anyone buying wrasses of the genus Labroides because of their poor track record in captivity. In reality they should be left in the ocean where they play a very important role. Admittedly there are exceptions as I have seen some specimens eat, even the popular Labroides dimidiatus. As far as the wrasse nipping at your clam I find that unusual. However, if the wrasse you have is the Red Sea Cleaner Wrasse they eat coral polyps as an adult and I wouldn't be surprised if he would nip at your clam's mantle. I have seen more of that species eat prepared food in captivity than any other.

James