carpenters fairy wrasse - ALWAYS HIDING

[Djbetterly]

I've had this carpenters fairy wrasse now for about a week and a half and it rarely, if ever comes out the whole it found in the rocks. I can see it, eyes moving and all. Any ideas?

The only thing I can think of is that I have my lights very very dim right now, less than 5%, to battle the initial diatom bloom. Now that it seems over for the most part, I'm slowly bringing the lights back up.

Do you think its too dim? My melanarus is always out between the hours of 8 and 5 (bankers hours).

 

[LongIslandAndy]

The melanarus has probably got the carpenter wrasse terrified.

 

[Kworker]

The melanarus has probably got the carpenter wrasse terrified.

+1
I concur.

 

[Brooklyn48]

I had the same problem with my mccosker wrasse.. I used a turkey baster and aimed the food next to it's hiding spot little by little it came out.. Now he stays swimming right on top of the rockscape..

 

[Djbetterly]

Hmm...I did some reading and a bit of research and I thought they would get a long just fine. I don't want a fish that hides all the time. The melanarus seems very docile. What would you do? Sell the fish? Or wait it out a bit longer and see what happens?

 

[MIKE NY]

take the melanarus out and place it another tank/ fuge etc....the Carpenter should come out once the perception of danger is gone...once the Carpenter is confortable and eating well for a few days then the Melanarus can be placed back in...this method works well for me with most of territorial fish.

 

[Clink51]

take the melanarus out and place it another tank/ fuge etc....the Carpenter should come out once the perception of danger is gone...once the Carpenter is confortable and eating well for a few days then the Melanarus can be placed back in...this method works well for me with most of territorial fish.

+1. throw him in the fuge so you dont have to re-acclimate.

also, make sure you have a cover on the tank and sump now. no need for carpet surfers

 

[Djbetterly]

I have a new development, I've been seeing a lot more of the carpenter from a distance...as soon I get close to the tank now, he goes back into his hole. Seems I'm the one he's afraid of now. He is eating fine, as soon as the feeder kicks in, he leaps from his hole for food.