Hiding Leopard Wrasse!

I bought a leopard wrasse from my local specialist marine fish shop 8 days ago and it's hardly ever come out of the Sand. It appears for about 2 hours a day then goes back into hiding. I have been able to feed it on several occasions when I've spotted it out and it has eaten frozen mysis and brine but it just doesn't stay out for long!

I have a 30l tank and all my water parameters are good. All my other livestock and corals are fine and eating well. I know leopard wrasse can be very difficult to keep but I had read that the worst thing is trying to get them to eat but it does when the food is put in but then goes back into hiding.

Does anyone know much about leopard wrasse and if this behaviour is normal?

Livestock:
2 clowns
1 scooter blenny
1 cleaner shrimp
1 orange starfish
1 sand sifting starfish
3 hermits

 

They are known to hide often when newly introduced I believe. A 30L tank seems kind of small the leopard wrasses get fairly large compared to many of the other reef safe wrasses. You can always PM evolved or wait for him to chime in on the post

 

Thanks Pghsteeler. I know they are known to hide for a a bit but I would hope after 8 days it would be more acclimatised to the tank. I have just noticed it has come out again now. I but some frozen brine wih garlic in which it did have a little of. I have noticed that it does seem to be breathing quite rapidly today but like I said all my parameters are good. I did notice it sitting on the rock today which seems strange. I'm trying to keep a close eye on it. I'll wait to see if evolved notices this tread if not I'll PM him at somepoint. Thanks again.

 

No problem good luck with the guy, they are beautiful fish

 

My blue star leopard stayed hidden in the sand for 4 weeks when I first got him. I'd say yours already coming out is fast.

 

I have seen them stay in hiding for over a month. It is good that yours is eating. I also agree that housing it in a 30L with "aggressive" fish might not be an ideal situation, and is a bit on the small side for that fish. Keep an eye on it. Hope all goes well.

 

Thanks everyone. I feel more relaxed now knowing that you've had similar
experiences. It is quite small at the moment, definitely smaller than my clowns but if it gets big than I'll have to trade it in at my LPS. I've not seen any of the other fish display any aggression towards it or nip it or anything but I'll keep a close eye for that too. Anybody notice their leopard wrasse lay on the aquarium bed or sit on the rocks? Is that normal?

 

Everything seemed pretty normal, until I got to this part:

That's not normal, and a sign of severe stress. I suspect the tank size and other tank inhabitants is the source of stress. Your tank isn't big enough for a leopard I'm afraid. That being said, he/she may eventually calm down and settle in, or the he/she will succumb to the stress first. The former will take several weeks, the latter can be far less. There's not much you can do at this point, other than patiently wait. Trying to remove the fish at this point will almost guarantee an untimely death.

 

that is really strange did you give him a good acclimation

 

pants! That was my thought when I saw it doing that. I'll be gutted if it dies as it's a beautiful fish! To see the fish now makes me think that it will succumb to the stress.

I did try to acclimatise it properly, over the space of about 7 hours. I always try to ensure that I take my time when putting new fish in. I never rush it.

Thanks agin everyone for writing back. I really appreciate it.