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05/28/2017, 06:34 AM | #1 |
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Blue Star Leopard Wrasse in a 16 gallon biocube?
So I cycled my 16 gallon biocube and it was ready for fish after 5 weeks. We have a local mom and pop pet store, with very knowledgeable and passionate staff.
We went to pick out a fish with my kids, and one salesman who is extremely knowledgeable recommended a blue star leopard wrasse female. My family loved the fish, she ate fish food in the store and looked healthy, and we took her home. I drip acclimated the leopard Wrasse and she quickly buried under the sand not to be seen since yesterday. Now that I'm doing research, I'm seeing that this fish is considered "expert only," and requires a tank at least 50gallons. I called my local pet store, and the specialist assured me he is fine for the 16gallon tank, and people are wrong. He is adamant that it is a good fish for the tank. Is he right? This store is very nice, I could probably bring him back today if I made a mistake. Advice? |
05/28/2017, 06:56 AM | #2 |
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To Reef Central If it were me I would not keep a Leopard in a 16gal cube. I would almost guaranty the fish will succumb to stress as these fish are usually difficult to acclimate anyway which is the primary reason they are labeled as expert only, that and they can be a bit stubborn when it comes eating store bought foods but yours was already eating at the LFS.
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I am not a pro so excuse me if I'm wrong. Current Tank Info: 30gal Deep Blue rimless 9/10/2014, 80gal Deep Blue rimless 40gal sump/refugium 9/11/16 LPS reef, 2 x Kessil A160 with a single Maxspect Razor, RO Prime 150INT skimmer, Sicce 3 return pump, Vortech MP40 and MP10 |
05/28/2017, 07:04 AM | #3 | |
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The worst part is after waiting for weeks, I buy a fish that is beautiful for 10 seconds and then...bam...hides under the sand never to be seen again. Haha. I might try to find him and see if the store would take him back. |
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05/28/2017, 07:05 AM | #4 | |
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05/28/2017, 07:12 AM | #5 |
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Do read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/macropharyngodon.htm
That site in general is a treasure trove for general aquaria knowledge. |
05/28/2017, 07:12 AM | #6 | |
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05/28/2017, 07:16 AM | #7 | |
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05/28/2017, 09:20 AM | #8 |
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I doubt it should be too much trouble in a 16 gallon cube. I'm actually looking for one myself, any chance you live in the N central FL area?
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I am not a pro so excuse me if I'm wrong. Current Tank Info: 30gal Deep Blue rimless 9/10/2014, 80gal Deep Blue rimless 40gal sump/refugium 9/11/16 LPS reef, 2 x Kessil A160 with a single Maxspect Razor, RO Prime 150INT skimmer, Sicce 3 return pump, Vortech MP40 and MP10 |
05/28/2017, 09:48 AM | #9 |
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Update: Since posting this this morning, he came out from the sand. He is swimming around and picking at rocks. He even ate a few fish flakes. Perhaps I can keep him? I was literally readying the bucket to bring him back to the fish store...
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05/28/2017, 10:00 AM | #10 | |
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05/28/2017, 10:43 AM | #11 |
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05/28/2017, 10:43 AM | #12 | |
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05/28/2017, 11:16 AM | #13 | |
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75 gal, 20 L using as sump, MP40Qd , Eheim 1260 Return,Royal Exclusiv Bubble King Mini 160,Kamoer FX-STP Calcium Reactor Setup, ATI Sunpower 6x54W |
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05/28/2017, 12:27 PM | #14 | |
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That said...should I do more frequent water changes? Is there anything I can do to help increase his chance of thriving? |
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05/28/2017, 12:30 PM | #15 | |
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https://youtu.be/SWRqG_j5YXc |
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05/28/2017, 12:30 PM | #16 |
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how big is he? you can probably keep him for a while, but eventually you will need to rehome him.
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05/28/2017, 12:36 PM | #17 | |
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I feel like now I've made a mistake. There won't be another tank to relocate. This is the tank. I don't plan to get another. Oy. |
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05/28/2017, 12:37 PM | #18 |
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05/28/2017, 12:44 PM | #19 |
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05/28/2017, 12:55 PM | #20 | |
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Blue Star Leopard Wrasse in a 16 gallon biocube?
Quote:
Hmm.. Okay then. They're not particularly susceptible to water quality, but definitely keep up on water changes. How often do you feed? A 16g tank will not have enough pods to keep your leopard satiated for long. I would be feeding at least 3x a day with a good frozen food, such as PE mysis, or Larry's Reef Frenzy. That's your best shot. Once the leopard gets through all the pods in your tank, the health of the fish is going to drop. Also, remember that it's in the fish store's best interest that you keep the fish, as they make money off you. People on this forum have nothing to gain from telling you to return it, and we're just looking out for the fish.
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75 gal, 20 L using as sump, MP40Qd , Eheim 1260 Return,Royal Exclusiv Bubble King Mini 160,Kamoer FX-STP Calcium Reactor Setup, ATI Sunpower 6x54W Last edited by BigBlueTang; 05/28/2017 at 01:15 PM. |
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05/28/2017, 01:44 PM | #21 | |
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He's eating the flakes a little, but I've noticed too much goes wasted (which will destroy my tank). He's not the type of fish to go bananas for the fish food. |
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05/29/2017, 10:50 AM | #22 | |
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Bought a small clownfish. My daughter will be thrilled. Because...you know...Nemo. |
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05/29/2017, 04:31 PM | #23 | |
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05/29/2017, 05:16 PM | #24 | |
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75 gal, 20 L using as sump, MP40Qd , Eheim 1260 Return,Royal Exclusiv Bubble King Mini 160,Kamoer FX-STP Calcium Reactor Setup, ATI Sunpower 6x54W |
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