New Cleaner Wrasse - Page 3

naesco · #1 01-30-2009, 06:23 AM

Like I said, several posters who have been successful will post.

Here is what a couple of expert fish authors have written.
Robert Fenner
This is the genus of obligate Cleaner Wrasses most celebrated for establishing stations in the wild that are frequented by "local" reef fishes and pelagics for removing parasites and necrotic tissue. Perhaps shocking to most aquarists, all the Labroides rate a dismal (3) in survivability, even the ubiquitously offered common or Blue Cleaner Wrasse, Labroides dimidiatus. None of the Labroides should be removed, not only for the fact that almost all perish within a few weeks of wild capture, but for the valuable role they play as cleaners.

Scott Michael
These wrasses are engaging fishes, but conscientious reef aquarists should refuse to purchase them.

I agree 100% with Osprey.

lammarkk · #2 02-03-2009, 10:00 AM

I guess they just need time to get along...
My fishes didnt like my cleaner wrasse when I first introduced her to my tank...

BlueAbyss · #3 02-03-2009, 08:41 PM

Cleaners Wrasses aren't the only cleaners out there guys and gals... if you want a cleaner that has a good chance of survival, that is...

There's the Sharknose Goby, Elacatinus evelynae (syn. Gobiosoma evelynae, Gobiosoma genie). He gets to about 2" max, tiny by any standards, but there are good accounts of them cleaning much larger predators... one cleaning a trumpetfish http://www.reefnews.com/reefnews/new.../trptgby2.html and a moray eel http://www.reefnews.com/reefnews/new...03/gmoray.html, though these accounts are probably (circumstantial) at best. I did read somewhere that they are known to clean fishes from 1.5 to 15 times their size.

Might be worth a try for some people, if you really wanted a cleaner type fish. I'm pretty sure I came across another also, if I can find the page I'll edit this post.

Myka · #4 03-22-2009, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naesco

A week or two to a couple of months.
The cleaner wrasse will be out and about as normal and the next day its gone. There are rare exceptions and unfortunately most reefers are reluctant to post their failures (often multiple attempts to keep them). Some reefers don't post because they cant take posts like JGs. The very rare successful keeper of cleaner wrasse are very happy to post their success. Human nature, eh.

Every author of books in the marine hobby will confirm the same and will tell you they are best left in the ocean to do their cleaning duties.
Most LFS staff will tell you the same as well. No one will tell you they are easy to keep.

Ya, Cleaner Wrasse are on the list of "creatures that should be left in the ocean" imo. Although I would define "long term" as over a year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDigital

Wouldn't you rather see a CW taken home and given much better conditions/chances of survival than those at a LFS. It's already out of the ocean, and no chance of going back,

Absolutely not. The more people buy a certain fish, the more that store will continue to stock them. If a store keeps losing difficult to care for fish because they aren't selling and the stores can't keep them alive they will quit bringing those fish in.

phillybean · #5 08-23-2009, 08:16 PM

Just wanted to update everyone on this fish, still very happy and fat. From looking at the pictures from the 1st page of this thread to now, it is noticeable how much fuller her belly is. She is still eating Mysis and Nori. It's been about 7 months since I've had her now.

I had one scare when I checked on my tank one night, she was laying, motionless on the sand. I thought she died and I went to scoop her out, turned out she was sleeping. I'm not sure who was more scared, the fish or a half sleep reefer realizing he has a zombie fish...

bowkry · #6 08-24-2009, 03:10 AM

i have had the same cleaner wrasse for over a year now and he is healthy and great

TJSlayer · #7 08-25-2009, 06:16 AM

Yeah Mine is still going strong as well...I have it for close to a year myself and was in a previous tank for at least that as well....

phillybean · #8 01-30-2009, 04:37 AM

Nazerine hooked me up with a trap that worked to catch the Six Line AND my Angel at the same time...only when I walked in the room the six line bolted.

Im gonna start trying again, he made an awesome trap

Your sixline would take mine, yours is a fat mofo! he must eat the beating hearts of the fish he kills...

brizzo · #9 01-30-2009, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillybean

Nazerine hooked me up with a trap that worked to catch the Six Line AND my Angel at the same time...only when I walked in the room the six line bolted.

Im gonna start trying again, he made an awesome trap

Your sixline would take mine, yours is a fat mofo! he must eat the beating hearts of the fish he kills...

You just had to go and get a snack, eh ?