Potters Wrasse on wrong schedule . .

[Paula]

Hi everyone - I know there are some "wrasse specialists" on the board who might be able to help . ..

I recently acquired a very healthy Potters Wrasse. He comes out of the sand around 12:30pm and goes back into the sand around 5:30pm. He did this three days in a row during last weekend and I was able to get him to eat while he was out. But, I work until 5:30 and travel an hour home so he is already in the sand before I get home.
Does anyone have any suggestions about how to lengthen or adjust his "awake" time so that I can make sure he eats?

I thought of using my automatic feeder, but that only works for flake/pellet and he only seemed interested in the brine/mysis. Should I keep the lights off for a few days or have them come on later? Do you think his sleep habits are a result of lighting? I am not sure that is so . ... .

I used to have 3 mated pair of wrasses - potters, meleagris and bipartitus . . but I never had them miss their dinners due to schedule. This was in my old 150 tank . .. sigh ...

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[afboundguy]

Is it feasible to adjust the lighting schedule to push back their "bedtime" by a few hours? Maybe have the lights come on 2-3 hours later than normal and see if they keep to that timeframe of being out and about?

 

[turtletrax624]

I would change the lighting/feeding as well. We have a Bi-Part that I ONLY see on the weekends when I am hanging out at the house during the day, there are certain light cycles that he just does not love! Good luck!

 

[Furnman]

I have a Potter's Wrasse that behaved the same way. After a few weeks it got the idea and is now on the same schedule as the rest of the fish. It is a very good eater!

 

[Paula]

Thanks for the suggestions . ... I have adjusted my lights to turn on a little later .... Maybe that will keep him in bed a little longer! I'll post a progress report in a week or so.
Thanks.
Paula