New Melanurus Wrasse in hiding

If you saw it i would not worry at all, just give it time. While I do not think this will be the case with a wrasse, I have a goby that I have had for about a year and I have seen him maybe 10 times, in fact I was sure he was dead for months and then I moved tanks and there he was after I took all the rock out . Give it time, soon that wrasse will own that tank as most do.

Had a wrasse sighting. It came out long enough to be seen. Then it went right back into the sand. At least I know it's alive.

Yes I am monitoring ammonia and nitrite nightly for spikes.

I would start to search in the sand. A few places at the time and not all at once. Besides that there is really nothing else you can do. Have you tested your water for any spike?

Actually there is no need to float the bag. Here is a quick recap of that Reefkeeping Tip:

1. Gently pour the water and fish iout of the bag nto a clean container.
2. Add a cup of water from the tank every 2-3 minutes.
3. When the amount of water in the container has doubled, place your cupped hand in and slowly lift the fish out. Place your other hand over the fish so it doesn't flip and slowly set it into the tank.
4. Pause for a few moments while the fish gets oriented and swims out of your hand.
This takes about 15 minutes.

Caution: If the fish has been in the bag for more than 2 hours, the water quality in the bag is very crappy with Urea(fish waste). The moment the bag is opened, the water is exposed to good air and the Urea changes to Ammonia. Scoop that fish out of there and into the tank immediately before the Ammonia burns it's gills.

aceofspadeskb wrote: Given that I don't have an acclimation box, this was the next best method(at least I'm told).  I let the fish float in the bag in the top of the aquarium for 40 minutes(to match temperature).  Then I found a dark colored opaque pitcher and gently dumped the fish and his water into it.  Then using an airline with a valve on the end I slowly dripped water from the tank into the pitcher(it took about an hour and 10 minutes to fill the gallon pitcher).  At that point I dumped the water/fish through a fish net into a 5 gallon bucket, thus catching the fish in the net, but not the water.  Then the fish went into the tank(and under the sand).

That is way too long of acclimation for my opinion. I normally just drip my fish for 30-40 minutes and catch.
Also you float it for 40minutes!!! I wouldn't do that because it cause over stress and unless it was shipped the water on the bag would not get too cold. I would float for 5-10 minutes max

Given that I don't have an acclimation box, this was the next best method(at least I'm told).  I let the fish float in the bag in the top of the aquarium for 40 minutes(to match temperature).  Then I found a dark colored opaque pitcher and gently dumped the fish and his water into it.  Then using an airline with a valve on the end I slowly dripped water from the tank into the pitcher(it took about an hour and 10 minutes to fill the gallon pitcher).  At that point I dumped the water/fish through a fish net into a 5 gallon bucket, thus catching the fish in the net, but not the water.  Then the fish went into the tank(and under the sand).

Zero chance in my opinion .

Well if the purpose is just to determine if its still alive you can poke around the sand bed but be ready to jump when he pops out (assuming he is alive but Im sure he is) as it can be pretty startling so watch your head and where your arms will jerk back in the tank.... but this may make him hide for longer.

Sounds like all things are normal.  Thanks!

Mine hid for two days and now I wish he would hide himself instead of picking at my CUC. :)