Carpenters VS Black Fin McCosker's

[joshyross70]

Is there any big difference between these fish? If you had to pick one, which one would you pick?

 

[OrionN]

There are some color variation between various common Flasher wrasse. I think you can decide what is better when you see them. If you have to get them sight unseen, I recommend looking at the Yellowfin Flasher.
I would recommend the regular McCosker rather than the Black fin McCosker. The Blackfin McCosker have black instead of bright blue color of the regular McCosker. I like the coloration of the regular McCosker better. Below are 6 of my Flasher wrasse that I had/having at one time or another. I do like the Yellowfin and McCosker best and Black fin McCosker and Carpenter least, but only slightly less.
You do need several Flasher Wrasses to get optimal interaction between them.

Carpenters

McCosker. Both are young males, will color up even better. The back part of the dorsal fin, and the front part of the caudal fin is florescent blue (or black in black fin)

Internet picture of a young Black fin McCosker

Yellowfin. The first is more mature and the second one is young. I like the dark red dorsal fin and the bright gold annal fin

 

[slojim]

I have either one on my list, it could have come down to whichever is available first at a lfs.

 

[joshyross70]

There are some color variation between various common Flasher wrasse. I think you can decide what is better when you see them. If you have to get them sight unseen, I recommend looking at the Yellowfin Flasher.
I would recommend the regular McCosker rather than the Black fin McCosker. The Blackfin McCosker have black instead of bright blue color of the regular McCosker. I like the coloration of the regular McCosker better. Below are 6 of my Flasher wrasse that I had/having at one time or another. I do like the Yellowfin and McCosker best and Black fin McCosker and Carpenter least, but only slightly less.
You do need several Flasher Wrasses to get optimal interaction between them.

Carpenters

McCosker. Both are young males, will color up even better. The back part of the dorsal fin, and the front part of the caudal fin is florescent blue (or black in black fin)

Internet picture of a young Black fin McCosker

Yellowfin. The first is more mature and the second one is young. I like the dark red dorsal fin and the bright gold annal fin

Based on those pictures I actually like your Carpenter's a lot. Im buying them off LiveAquaria so your input and pictures are great help. I do think your regular McCosker's actually looks better then a black fin picture on LA. tough choice

 

[hllb]

I just got this guy from LA on Tuesday - sub adult male black fin McCosker’s wrasse. He was alive but seemed really stunned when he arrived - laid on his side in the bag the entire time I acclimated him. Once in qt, perked up and by evening was fine (just a heads up for you!)

 

[joshyross70]

I just got this guy from LA on Tuesday - sub adult male black fin McCosker’s wrasse. He was alive but seemed really stunned when he arrived - laid on his side in the bag the entire time I acclimated him. Once in qt, perked up and by evening was fine (just a heads up for you!)

Thanks for the heads up

 

[fishface NJ]

I just got this guy from LA on Tuesday - sub adult male black fin McCosker’s wrasse. He was alive but seemed really stunned when he arrived - laid on his side in the bag the entire time I acclimated him. Once in qt, perked up and by evening was fine (just a heads up for you!)

I got my black fin from LA about 2 weeks ago and had the same experience. At first I though he was dead.

 

[hllb]

I got my black fin from LA about 2 weeks ago and had the same experience. At first I though he was dead.

I googled later and found out it’s pretty common. They’re easily stressed, and perhaps a bit melodramatic...

 

[fishface NJ]

Here is a photo of mine under T5

 

[hllb]

Here is a photo of mine under T5

Looks great. Mine looks kind of washed out in my qt (which has horrible lights) but he’s eating like a champ. I dropped a couple pods in there for him the other day and they lasted all of 5 seconds!

 

[fishface NJ]

Mine was pale when I got him. He colored up and went into the DT last night. I have one other fish in the DT and it's a Helfrichi firefish. He's been in there alone for over a year. The tank was filled with amphipods and the firefish never ate them. I just noticed that the wrasse ate them all ;Joyful. There were 100s

 

[fishface NJ]

@joshyross70 are you planning to also have another wrasse with the McCosker?

 

[hllb]

Mine was pale when I got him. He colored up and went into the DT last night. I have one other fish in the DT and it's a Helfrichi firefish. He's been in there alone for over a year. The tank was filled with amphipods and the firefish never ate them. I just noticed that the wrasse ate them all ;Joyful. There were 100s

He was hungry! I don’t think I have a ton of pods. I only see them when I clean my filter sponge. I just started a fuge so hope more will grow there.

 

[joshyross70]

@joshyross70 are you planning to also have another wrasse with the McCosker?

No this would be the only one

 

[fishface NJ]

I am happy I finally have one. It's been a long time trying to find one. The Helfrichi only comes out when I feed. The McCosker is out all day long playing in the current.

 

[joshyross70]

I am happy I finally have one. It's been a long time trying to find one. The Helfrichi only comes out when I feed. The McCosker is out all day long playing in the current.

I had one before and it went carpet surfing

 

[OrionN]

You really need a tight lid to keep flasher and fairy wrasse. It is best to keep 2 or more so they flash at each other.

 

[joshyross70]

You really need a tight lid to keep flasher and fairy wrasse. It is best to keep 2 or more so they flash at each other.

Yeah I have one now. The one that got out was years ago

 

[hllb]

I am happy I finally have one. It's been a long time trying to find one. The Helfrichi only comes out when I feed. The McCosker is out all day long playing in the current.

I’ve heard the helfrichi can be shy. My orange firefish is out most of the time.

 

[CavalierReef]

I got this McCosker's from LA as well. He arrived energetic and hungry. He actually ate in the drip acclimation bucket. I dripped him for about 2 hours and used the Safety Stop protocol. The next day he was out and about searching for food.