Leopard Wrasse

[aprilmayjune]

I have a 2" female leopard wrasse that I would like to get a friend for. The catch is that she is evil and has only got along with some green chromis which I stupidly got rid of. She did alright with a mean perc for a while but they started fighting. Before I realized she was so aggressive I tried large firefish, a bluespot goby, twinspot goby, valentini puffer, bicolor blenny, another female leopard wrasse (who I hoped would turn male)- all have which disappeared within a few days of adding. I would like to get a male leopard but want to know if this is a good idea? I thought maybe if I added a male she would take to him more so than any other fish. Right now she is the only fish in the tank.

[C.Mydas]

what kind of leopard wrasse?

If it is a blue star you may have your work cut out for you. They are the um...strongest tempered.

Are you sure it has killed all the other fish? Leopards are pretty docile, and will rarely harass other fish (besides other leopards of course)
-christina

[Darth-Tater]

Wait a minute isn't there a saying that goes " Hell has no fury than that of a woman" Maybe she thinks you are picking a mate for her and she rejected them. Mmmm at least it isn't a prying Mantis. Once she mate she eats her mate. :w00t

[erikharrison]

Don't forget the old Black widow. :D :lol

[ClownReef®]

C.Mydas is like "Dr.Wrasse" 8)

[aprilmayjune]

Hmm. I'm not sure of the common name but this is the scientific name, Macropharyngodon meleagris. I've seen some sites say the coloration of mine means its a female, some say its just a juvenile and will look more blue as she gets older. All I know is she is mean.

[C.Mydas]

Ok. Youve got the common leopard wrasse or the Guinea Fowl leopard wrasse. You could try adding a male, but finding a male may prove difficult. Most specimens in LFS's are juveniles and similar in markings. If an adult male did come in, that would be quite the find. Leopard wrasses should tolerate each other, its surprising that yours is so aggressive.

You have a couple of options. The best option would be to remove the leopard, put the fish in you want, wait, and re-add the leopard. Short of that you may re-do your rock work and add the fish you want. That may cut down on your leopards territorial behavior.

If that doesnt work and you are determined to have more, up your feedings (competition for food has been linked to tang aggression so I would assume the same for wrasses, Im sure someone will correct me if Im wrong) and add 2 more leopards at the same time. Both larger than the one you have. By adding 2 you may confuse your current leopard enough to let the other 2 adjust and acclimate to captivity. If you dont want to doom them I would definately make sure they are eating frozen at the store. Then they should be able to 'stand up for themselves' and your other one should settle down. I will say, however, I am apprehensive about telling anyone to buy a leopard wrasse especially 2 more at one time. They are like mandarins and usually starve to death in captivity, and do not ship well at all.

Leopards or not, whatever fish you add try putting them in after the leopard has gone to bed (mine hit the sand as soon as the MHs turn off so I have a few hours of actinics before no lights but yours may be different). This way the new fish can adjust a little bit, and definately add more than 1 fish at a time...confusion and sensory overload is what you need. She cant dive bomb more than 1 fish at a time, and once the new fish start settling in they should be able to defend themselves. Dont add so many that your tank cant handle the bio-load though!

If this doesnt work, look into dottybacks and other small wrasses (six lines) BUT beware they are aggressive and should be able to handle your leopard they may become too aggressive and kill it down the road, esp a 6line.

HTH
-christina (C.Mydas.)