Leopard wrasse getting very thin

Coralgurl · #1 07-10-2012, 03:32 AM

I have the cutest leopard wrasse who is so sweet, but she's getting very thin. The person I got her from fed pellets and I feed frozen, she goes after the food and seems to eat, but I've noticed she spits food back out. I feed plankton and mysis. She's not aggressive when it comes to feeding and hangs out on the sidelines when I feed.

What are some other food options I can try? I've thought about moving her to the other tank but don't want to stress her either as she's so thin, but I think the fish in the other tank would be better mates. Thoughts?

arash53 · #2 07-10-2012, 03:41 AM

How many times you feeding?, it must be at least 3 times a day, otherwise they loose weight and die.

MarkoD · #3 07-10-2012, 03:44 AM

i've had mine for over 8 months in my 180 and i dont feed it anything, lives just fine off what it finds in the tank

Coralgurl · #4 07-10-2012, 03:46 AM

Oh dear, I only feed one time per day, I will increase immediately. Oh I feel so bad

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #5 07-10-2012, 03:46 AM

Only the very rare Leopard wrasse does well in a tank with aggressive tank mates. You will have to squirt food in its direction and hope it gets enough to eat. Far better off to catch it out and into a calm tank.

My pair of red leopards live in my clownfish tank with a few clowns, fairy/flasher wrasses, Bangaii, and gobies.

I just got a Black leopard from Island Pets that was net caught in Vanuatu and had survived in the shop for 6 months. It lives in the main tank and is fast enough/aggressive feeder enough to compete with the Naso and other fish.

Coralgurl · #6 07-10-2012, 04:05 AM

I do squirt food in her direction, and it's obvious there's not enough in the tank to sustain her as she's so skinny. I will try to catch her, I've only got 2 chromis and an angel in the other tank.

reefme · #7 07-10-2012, 04:12 AM

Doesn't matter how many times you feed the fish is a tank mates that is matter. I only feed once a day.

toytech · #8 07-10-2012, 04:19 AM

try feeding blood worms , or brine shrimp . Anything meaty and different . I would strongly recomend treating for inestinal worms they are quite prone to them i use pirazipro its reef safe .My leopard ate everything and would compeat with 2 other wrasses and a bunch of other agressive fish it just takes time and food they like . And i only fed once every 2 days once he was eating well but for now try and feed more.

Skimmerking · #9 07-10-2012, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arash53

How many times you feeding?, it must be at least 3 times a day, otherwise they loose weight and die.

Sorry but I don't agree with you statement. Leopards are also finicy. Eaters and lots of times when u get leopard wrasses they are shy and scared lots of times they won't eat you have to entice them to eat. With live brine shrimp.. I use blood worms soaked in Welcome and never had a problem. Butif u have a mature tank like Mario has stated then there is no need to feed imho

Coralgurl · #10 07-10-2012, 04:45 AM

I just went through this article....should have read it sooner....
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-07/hcs3/index.php

I don't know if she has worms as she was fatter when I got her. I agree with the tank mates and she's in the wrong tank. I'm going to see if I can find some live food for her tomorrow, and focus on direct feeding her.