Does it really need sand?

[A_Lee]

Some wrasses like to bury themselves in the sand at night when they sleep. My question regards the yellow Coris wrasse in particular. Hiding in the sand at night is what I'd imagine to be a method of detering (or avoiding) predation. But in most of our reef tanks, we do not need to worry about this type of predation. My tank is bare bottom. So, this begs the question ... does the yellow coris wrasse need sand in order to survive, or will it learn to sleep in the rocks?

Thanks!

 

[zambavi]

I believe the biggest concern is that when it gets startled it's instinct is to hit the sand... with no sand I think it would likely do it's best to crawl under a rock and hurt itself in the process. IME

 

[tuberider]

IME they do much better with sand, but can adapt to sleeping in a crevice, esp if they aren't getting startled or picked on.

 

[phishphood]

I doubt it will fare well and sleep comfortably in the rocks. I'm sure that it will definitely stress it out to begin with. Why don't you just put a small box/bottle cut lengthwise with sand in it for the fish to sleep in.

 

[A_Lee]

[quote author=phishphood link=topic=6080.msg77014#msg77014 date=1233011301]
I doubt it will fare well and sleep comfortably in the rocks. I'm sure that it will definitely stress it out to begin with. Why don't you just put a small box/bottle cut lengthwise with sand in it for the fish to sleep in.
[/quote]

That crossed my mind, but it would look very unsightly on the bottom of my tank

 

[seminolecpa]

I think some people with a BB tank put cup of sand in a glass for their wrasses. Ian might chime in.

 

[zambavi]

[quote author=A_Lee link=topic=6080.msg77024#msg77024 date=1233012959]
[quote author=phishphood link=topic=6080.msg77014#msg77014 date=1233011301]
I doubt it will fare well and sleep comfortably in the rocks. I'm sure that it will definitely stress it out to begin with. Why don't you just put a small box/bottle cut lengthwise with sand in it for the fish to sleep in.
[/quote]

That crossed my mind, but it would look very unsightly on the bottom of my tank
[/quote]

can you find an inconspicuous place in the back to place it?

 

[A_Lee]

My rock work it pretty open, and the tank will be viewed from three sides, so not really. On top of that, it is a 33g cube tank, so there isn't much room on the bottom to begin with.

 

[GreshamH]

[quote author=phishphood link=topic=6080.msg77014#msg77014 date=1233011301]
I doubt it will fare well and sleep comfortably in the rocks. I'm sure that it will definitely stress it out to begin with. Why don't you just put a small box/bottle cut lengthwise with sand in it for the fish to sleep in.
[/quote]

Ditto

 

[zambavi]

Gotcha... the wrasse would probably have all the sand kicked out in time anyways.

 

[GreshamH]

Mine didn't. I used a dish from a pet carrier for it. I may even still have some left as I use to have 100's of them

 

[zambavi]

That's right... we're talking about a wrasse here not a sifting goby

 

[badbread]

Do all wrasses need sand? I have never seen my 6 line bury himself and he sleeps in the rocks every night despite the sand bed.

 

[zambavi]

nope... just some

 

[GreshamH]

Some make cocoons like parrots, other sleep in sand.